England Struggle Against Top-10 Football Nations
· Sports · BBC Sport
England have won only six of their past 15 matches against teams ranked in the top 10 by FIFA. The team has failed to overcome elite opposition in World Cup knockout stages since 1998, losing all seven encounters during that period. While England reached the finals of the 2020 and 2024 European Championships by defeating top-10 sides like Denmark and the Netherlands, they ultimately lost both finals to Italy and Spain respectively. Recent data shows the team often struggles to maintain possession against high-ranked opponents, recording low figures in critical matches against Argentina, Spain, and Italy. Thomas Tuchel secured his first win over a top-10 opponent during the recent World Cup bronze-medal match against France.
Why it matters
The recurring inability to beat top-tier nations in major tournaments raises questions about England's competitiveness on the global stage. This trend directly impacts the team's prospects in upcoming Nations League fixtures and future World Cup campaigns.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
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