Four Stars Score Doubles, Kane Affected by Curse
The 2026 World Cup continues to deliver thrilling action after the second group stage matches. Following Cristiano Ronaldo's brace in the previous game, three more global football superstars, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe, did not want to be left behind. They each scored a brace in their respective matches, intensifying the fierce competition for the Golden Boot. However, one name expected to shine, Harry Kane, had to swallow disappointment as he failed to keep pace with his peers.
Kane's Poor Performance Against Ghana
In the match against Ghana, England drew 0-0. Kane, who is the main attacking force for England, appeared to lose his rhythm when facing tight marking from opponents. After scoring two goals in the first round, this time he was completely 'stuck' without any goals. The statistics show how dismal his performance was: out of three attempts, only one was on target. As a center forward, he only won two out of five duels. More disappointingly, in the 86th minute, he missed a golden opportunity when the ball rebounded off the post from O'Riley's header, but Kane's close-range shot went high over the bar.
Comparison With Other Superstars
The success of Messi, Haaland, and Mbappe in scoring braces each places them at the top of the goal-scoring list with five, four, and four goals respectively. But Kane, who is currently in a skill 'rest period', is now three goals behind the leader. This raises the question of whether he can regain momentum.
The Story of the Ghanaian Shaman's Curse
One interesting point is the claim by a Ghanaian shaman named Nana Kwaku Bonsam. Before the match, he claimed to have 'cast a curse' on Kane to make the player fail in the match. With Kane's dismal performance, the shaman appeared to have indirectly 'lived up to his word'. Although it sounds strange, it became a hot topic on social media with the hashtag #GhanaWitchDoctorCurseOnKane.
Conclusion
The competition in the 2026 World Cup is getting tougher. Although Kane has experienced failure, England still has a chance to advance. However, to remain relevant in the race for individual awards, Kane needs to bounce back quickly. Is the shaman's curse really having an effect? Or is it just a coincidence? What is certain is that the football world continues to be entertained by never-ending drama.
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*Original Source: [m.sohu.com](https://m.sohu.com/a/1040701539_461392?scm=thor.518_14-200000.0.0-0-0-0-0.)*