Marcus Rashford of England attempts an overhead kick during the World Cup match against Wales on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. Photo: VCG

England will have to end 56 years of failure against elite opposition in the World Cup knockout stages if they are to end France’s reign as champions in Saturday’s blockbuster quarterfinal.

As if facing Kylian Mbappe and company wasn’t a daunting enough prospect for Gareth Southgate’s side, they also have decades of history stacked against them at the Al Bayt Stadium.

Since beating West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final to clinch the only major prize in their history, England have lost every World Cup knockout stage encounter with countries that have lifted the famous gold trophy.

The Germans started the streak of futility when they gained revenge in the 1970 World Cup quarterfinals, while Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal and his sublime solo strike condemned England to defeat in the last eight in 1986.

It was West Germany delivering the knockout blow again in 1990, this time in a semifinal shoot-out that sparked decades of English angst about penalties.

Argentina compounded England’s penalty pain in 1998 with a shoot-out victory.

In 2002, Brazil’s Ronaldinho memorably caught David Seaman off his line with a long-range goal that sealed a 2-1 quarterfinal win.

Germany were back to haunt England in 2010 as a Frank Lampard shot that appeared to cross the line was controversially not given as a goal in a 4-1 last 16 defeat.

England’s struggles when faced with a quality rival have shown no signs of abating in the Southgate era.

After uplifting knockout stages wins over Colombia and Sweden, England’s surprise run to the 2018 World Cup semifinals came to a frustrating conclusion as eventual runners-up Croatia came from behind to win 2-1 in Moscow.

At the delayed Euro 2020, England enjoyed a rare cathartic moment against a highly ranked opponent when they beat Germany 2-0 in the last 16.But that German team were far from a superior vintage as their limp group stage exit at this World Cup has proved.

AFP