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Matchday at a glance

The ghost in the room

Kieran Trippier curled in a free kick after five minutes. The English half of Twitter started singing. Then Ivan Perišić stuck out a boot, Mario Mandžukić pounced in extra time, and Croatia — a nation of four million — knocked England out of the 2018 semifinal and walked into the final. 'It's coming home' became the most expensive meme in football.

That's the weight this fixture carries. It isn't just two teams opening Group L; it's the team that broke England's heart against the team that's still trying to mend it. England arrive as back-to-back European Championship runners-up (2020 and 2024) — always close, never quite there. They've not lifted the trophy since 1966, when they hosted it. Two semifinals in 60 years (1990, 2018) and a quarterfinal exit to France in Qatar is the sum of the wait.

Croatia, meanwhile, refuse to age. Runners-up in 2018, third in 2022, third all the way back in 1998 on debut — Zlatko Dalić's side keep turning experience into deep runs. The catch this time is the same one that's nagged them for two cycles: who scores the goals?

Five names that decide it

Luka Modrić (Croatia · Midfield)

Likely his last World Cup, still conducting the orchestra in his 40th year. If Croatia win the midfield, it's because he's slowed the game to his tempo — exactly what he did to England in Moscow.

Jude Bellingham (England · Midfield)

The generational talent England didn't have in 2018. Carries the ball between the lines like nobody else in this squad; Morgan Rogers is the listed alternative if Tuchel wants a fresher legs gamble.

Harry Kane (England · Striker)

England's all-time top scorer, still hunting the one prize that defines a career. He missed a penalty against France in Qatar that still stings. Redemption arc starts here.

Joško Gvardiol (Croatia · Defender)

The modern Croatian export — a centre-back who can step into a back three or bomb down the left. Dalić has been testing three at the back specifically to free him up.

Ante Budimir (Croatia · Striker)

The reluctant answer to Croatia's striker problem. Dalić tried nearly everyone in the cycle and kept coming back to him. Croatia's ceiling depends on whether he can finish what Modrić creates.

England — probable XI (coach: Thomas Tuchel)

Tuchel had a last-minute headache: Tino Livramento was ruled out injured, with Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah called up in his place. Expect him to stick with the spine that beat Costa Rica in the final tune-up.

Pickford; Reece James, Marc Guéhi, Stones, O'Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham (Morgan Rogers); Bukayo Saka (Noni Madueke), Gordon (Marcus Rashford), Harry Kane.

Croatia — probable XI (coach: Zlatko Dalić)

Experienced, settled, and built around a midfield that's been together for three World Cups. Dalić has trialled a back three, and the attack remains the open question — Budimir gets the nod as the most-trusted option from a long audition.

Livaković; Josip Šutalo, Luka Vušković, Joško Gvardiol; Stanišić, Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Ivan Perišić; Andrej Kramarić, Petar Sučić; Ante Budimir.

Group L — the full field

Where to watch

FAQ

Why does England vs Croatia feel like more than a group game?

Because Croatia knocked England out of the 2018 World Cup semifinal in extra time — Mandžukić's winner after Trippier had given England the lead. This is the first time the two have met in a match with stakes since then.

Is this really Luka Modrić's last World Cup?

At 40, almost certainly. He's led Croatia through three straight World Cups, reaching a final and a third place. Group L is the curtain-raiser on what looks like his international farewell tour.

What's the result England need to feel safe?

A win flips the psychology of the whole group and avoids the kind of slow start that haunted previous campaigns. A draw keeps it tight in a group where Ghana are a genuine threat — and Tuchel knows Croatia start tournaments slow but finish them deep.

Who else is in Group L?

Ghana and Panama. They play each other at 20h the same Wednesday, with Ghana the obvious dark horse and Panama the group's underdog making just their second World Cup appearance.

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