England kick off their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Texas at 9pm UK time.
It’s a repeat of the devastating 2018 World Cup semi-final, which England lost 2-1, but since the Three Lions have won two and drawn one against Zlatko Dalic’s side.
Nathan Salt brings you the four key battles which could decide tonight’s game – including the Tottenham man who could lock up Harry Kane.
Luka Vuskovic v Harry Kane
This one has all the hallmarks of being the very best match-up on the pitch in Dallas tonight.
On one side you’ve got one of the most lethal forwards in world football and on the other one of the most exciting young defenders in Europe.
How does Luka Vuskovic find an antidote to shut down Harry Kane? Conversely, has Kane got enough tricks up his sleeve to get the better of a player who could conceivably make the case of being one of the singular most motivated stars at the tournament?
The first thing to say is that the sentiment in Croatia is that, despite being just 19, Vuskovic is physically developed and capable of making life uncomfortable for Kane in the key duels, as he proved for Hamburg in match-ups last season.
Then there is the unquantifiable factor, the unknown, as to Vuskovic’s mindset in a week where, to many in Croatia, it appears his club Tottenham Hotspur are writing him off.
You see, Vuskovic is being chased by Brighton this summer – they’ve had bids rejected already – and despite his immense levels of talent and potential, it appears Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi is happy enough to shop him around, giving him the chip on his shoulder nobody in England needed before this opening Group L match-up.
Luka Vuskovic (left) is only 19 but capable of making life uncomfortable for Harry Kane (right)
‘I believe he will prove himself at the World Cup and become the mainstay for Croatia for the next 15 years,’ Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic said on Tuesday.
‘The most important thing for him is to find a club where he can continue to play, but Croatia has a great player in him for the next 15 years.’
All that rings true. But England only care about the next 90 minutes, not the next 15 years, and they will believe that in any game they go into they can confidently make the case that with Kane they have the best player on the pitch.
His 61-goal season for Bayern Munich has thrust him into Ballon d’Or conversation and, speaking of motivation, it doesn’t get much more intense for Kane than seeing Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland steal a early march on him in the golden boot race.
Two players with a fire burning inside them. Bring it on…
Luka Modric v Elliot Anderson
If Nottingham Forest get their way, Elliot Anderson will only leave the club this summer for a world record fee for a midfielder.
Anderson is a top player but, at 23, is still in the infancy of his career. Up against Luka Modric, he’s about to go face-to-face with one of the game’s greatest ever midfielders.
‘I’m not even just saying this – for me, he’s probably the best that I’ve played against in my career, midfield-wise,’ Anderson’s England team-mate Jordan Henderson said of Ballon d’Or winner Modric this week.
‘I think his career speaks for itself. I think he’s a top, world class player. So hard to play against, the way he plays. Yeah, I’m a big, big fan of his.’
For midfielders there is an aura around Modric like there is for many with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kylian Mbappe.
Luka Modric (left) is still able to dictate matches – Elliot Anderson (right) must stifle him
‘As the captain of our team, my right hand on the field, it means a lot to our team [to have him here],’ Dalic gushed.
‘We have young players, and they have to be happy to have Luka by their side; he shows them how to work, how to fight for the Croatian jersey. Thank God he’s still with us!’
This is Luka Modric’s tenth major tournament as a Croatian international. It will be Anderson’s first with England.
Modric’s value to Croatia extends beyond his aura and his leadership and, when boiled down, is best underscored by his ability to dictate matches from the middle of the park to an extreme level, something that has often been England’s Achilles heel.
When England have come up against the very best sides a lot has been left desired in central midfielder where the gulf in quality has been stark – and the ultimate difference.
But in Anderson, England have one of the Premier League’s most improving technicians and he boasts a blend of steel and control.
Even at 40, Modric could set the pace and run this game with his eyes closed in what will be an emotionally-charged last dance in North America for Croatia’s greatest ever player.
If Anderson can knock Modric off his stride, himself grasping control of the game to set the table for England to dictate proceedings, it represents one of the biggest – and most game-changing – battlegrounds England could take.
Ivan Perisic v Reece James
Speaking of last dances, this is also the final go round for Croatia’s 37-year-old winger Ivan Perisic, who is most likely going to get one of the toughest assignments up against Reece James.
On paper this match-up may feel somewhat one sided – James is among the finest full-backs in Europe when at his very best – Perisic is a wily old fox after 21 years representing Croatia and dismissing him could prove foolish.
Yes, it was in 2018 but do England really need reminding about the time Perisic scored one and set up another as Croatia defeated England in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup? Thought not.
Ivan Perisic (left) is still in impeccable shape for his last dance and could exploit Reece James (right) after his injury-ravaged career
Perisic is 37 but still shows up in impeccable shape and he arrives in Dallas off the back of a league title with PSV Eindhoven.
James has the pace and power to overwhelm the game’s very best wingers but there are legitimate question marks over his durability after injury-ravaged campaigns in recent years.
Carefully managed by Chelsea throughout the season – and England are likely to do the same in the States – this feels like a far closer battle in reality than it does on paper between a 26-year-old at the peak of his powers and a 37-year-old bringing the international curtain down at his eighth major tournament.
Josko Gvardiol v Bukayo Saka
Perhaps the closest battle of all in terms of current ability is the duel down England’s right side.
Saka, still dealing with the Achilles issue which has plagued him since March, doesn’t look, fitness wise, at the peak of his powers, while facing the prospect of going up against one of the very best defenders in Josko Gvardiol, who knows him well from the Premier League.
‘I’m feeling better than I have felt in the last few months and I’m ready to go,’ Saka said in recent days – but the proof will be in the pudding.
Josko Gvardiol (left) and Bukayo Saka (right) are closely matched in terms of ability
The beauty of this match-up is that we’ve seen it numerous times when Arsenal have taken on Manchester City in recent years.
That familiarity is both an aid to each player, as well as a drawback in that the element of surprise, something that can be so potent at an international tournament is unlikely to exist here.
Gvardiol is a major asset at both ends of the pitch and if Saka is in any way compromised, Gvardiol has the capability to feast at the Englishman’s expense.
Conversely, if Saka is as good health wise as he claims he is, Gvardiol has shown previously in a Croatia shirt that he’s got a horror show in the locker now and again.
This is the type of coin-flip match-up that sends a message to everyone else about the way the game will play out.
