England have a huge opportunity in World Cup grudge match that Thomas Tuchel must take | OneFootball

Croatia have dished out enough hurt to England over the years to prove they must not be taken lightly

England have forged historic rivalries with plenty of nations since their first official match, 154 years ago.

Scotland were the opponents on that November day in 1872 and the Auld Enemy have been England’s most familiar foes in the decades since. Some fierce match-ups have come and gone, like with Hungary, whose Mighty Magyars, led by Ferenc Puskas, had the beating of England in the 1950s but who have never been the same since.

Since their group-stage meeting in Euro 2004, which Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men won 4-2 against a team who had a certain Igor Tudor on the scoresheet, England’s rivalry with Croatia has fizzed into life and never gone away. It has been their most storied battle of the 21st century — and the latest chapter arrives today.

It has been their most storied battle of the 21st century — and the latest chapter arrives today

Not, perhaps, the confidence we have become accustomed to from a nation who punch well above their weight in the sport and are preparing to stand in England’s way for a tenth time in a competitive fixture in a 22-year spell.

This World Cup opener could have considerable consequences for how close either nation gets to realising its American Dream. It is the latest instalment of a proper, modern football rivalry.

The consensus is that Croatia are not the almighty force they were. Granted, their world ranking remains high and there are familiar faces in their squad — conquerors of England in tournaments and qualifiers gone by — but the golden generation is losing its legs or retiring, or both, one national hero at a time.

Tottenham’s Luka Vuskovic and Como’s Martin Baturina — scorer of an extraordinary free-kick for Croatia’s U21s against England three years ago — lead the next generation yet there is no indication it will be as solid as what has come before.

Luke Modric, 40, will be their metronomic tempo-setter against England in Arlington. Ivan Perisic, 37, Andrej Kramaric, 34, and Mateo Kovacic, 32, were all involved when Croatia reached the World Cup final in 2018 by knocking out Gareth Southgate’s side in the semi-final in Moscow. There are the remnants of a great team, even if they have lost to Brazil and at home to similarly dying stars Belgium just a fortnight ago.

Luka Modric remains a key player for Croatia

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While England will be favourites, they know Croatia pose by far the greatest threat and risk of dropped points from their three Group L fixtures. Thomas Tuchel’s team of analysts have spent longer focusing on the tactical challenges posed by the Croats than by Ghana or Panama, and that is understandable given they have shifted their tactical “centre of gravity” — as Tuchel puts it — from a 4-3-3 formation into a back three with Modric and Kovacic as a two-man midfield.

Croatia have aged, the challenge has changed, yet the a stern opening test remains.

In knocking England out of Russia 2018 and beating them home and away in Euro 2008 to famously qualify at the Three Lions’ brolly-drenched expense, Croatia have dished out enough hurt to England over the years that they cannot afford to be taken lightly, whatever shape they are in.

“I think it is quite obvious that they still have their core,” Tuchel said of Modric and the last remaining figures of their golden generation still knocking around and hoping to land one final hammer blow on England.

England’s analysts have done all they can do on Croatia. The squad have done their hot-weather training. Tuchel has made the decisions he feels will give England lift-off at Dallas Stadium and propel them forward into the World Cup.

Bogey team or not, grudge match or not, England know their preparation is behind them and it is finally time to get going now.