The clash between Argentina and Spain on Sunday evening at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey carries more than just a title fight, as a strange curse hangs over 'La Albiceleste' that began at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which dictates that any team that beats England 2-1 in the knockout stages loses the final.

According to the newspaper 'Marca', this curse struck Croatia at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, after both defeated the 'Three Lions' by the same scoreline, before losing the final to France and Argentina respectively.

The phenomenon repeated itself in the semi-finals of the current edition, with Argentina beating England 2-1, putting them in the danger zone against Spain, amid questions as to whether they will break the curse or become its third victim.

The series began in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when England took an early lead against Croatia, but the tournament surprise equalized and decided the match with a goal from Mandzukic in extra time, before falling in the final to France 4-2.

In Qatar 2022, France faced England in the quarter-finals, and 'Les Bleus' took the lead with a goal before Kane equalized from a penalty, but Giroud restored the lead in the 78th minute, and the English striker missed a second penalty in the 84th minute, ending the match 2-1 in favor of France.

But like Croatia, France lost the final to Argentina in an epic match that ended in a penalty shootout, after a 3-3 draw in regular and extra time, despite Mbappé's historic hat-trick.

However, history gives Argentina a glimmer of hope, as they previously broke this curse at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, when they beat England 2-1 in the quarter-finals with Maradona's two famous goals, one with the 'Hand of God' and the other with a legendary solo run, before winning the title against Germany.

And Brazil repeated the Argentine scenario at the 2002 World Cup, when they beat England 2-1 in the quarter-finals with goals from Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, then claimed their fifth star after defeating Germany in the final with a brace from Ronaldo.

Sunday's clash remains a real test of Argentina's ability to break the curse that has haunted them since 2018, or whether they will join the list of victims and lose the chance to add a fourth star to their blue and white shirt.