VOLGOGRAD, Russia—During its decadeslong run of futility at the World Cup, through the shootout defeats and incomprehensible blunders, England has tried just about everything to cure its major tournament hex. The team has overhauled its tactics, tried almost every formation in the book, and employed a stream of high-price managers from as far afield as Italy and Sweden.

Through it all, England’s remarkable knack for punching itself in the face persisted. And as the clock wound down here Monday, at the end of an opening game...