Revenge for 2018 semi-finals or another slap in the face?

Croatia has always been a tricky rival for England. It's just the way it is. Some opponents suit you more than the others.

The two teams faced each other in friendly games, European Championship, World Cup and EURO qualifiers, UEFA Nations League... And although Croatia knew how to surprise the Three Lions, neither of the two defeats England suffered against the Balkan side before that notorious Moscow night didn't hurt too much. That night, the pain was excruciating...

It was July 2018, and the whole of England was on cloud nine.

Despite being second in their group - or just because of that - the Three Lions were having the best World Cup in 28 years.

While the Belgians, who finished top of the group after beating Gareth Southgate's team in the last round - though the English weren't too interested in winning that match and face Brazil and France in the later stages - clashed against the giants, England had an open path to the final.

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They beat Colombia on penalties - even the roulette smiled on them - and easily brushed Sweden aside, preparing to face their penultimate step on their way to the eternal glory - Croatia.

Wait, Croatia? The same Croatia that we used to beat comfortably 3-1, 4-2, 4-1, 5-1 in our previous clashes? Wow, this is going to be easier than I expected, an England fan probably when Luka Modric and Co. appeared on the horizon, waiting for the battle against Southgate's crew.

The scent of a World Cup trophy - their first after 52 years - was in the air, and even that (in)famous song about football coming home didn't sound so pretentious.

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The stage was set for an epic triumph.

When Kieran Trippier broke the deadlock just five minutes into the game with a free-kick screamer, euphoria swept through each and every England fan at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Unfortunately for them, the Croats refused to accept defeat.

Ivan Perisic levelled in the 68th minute, forcing extra time, in which Mario Mandzukic sealed the Three Lions' fate in the 109th minute, handing them one of the toughest blows in their history.

Croatia went on to lose the final to France, while England gave up, falling short against Belgium - speaking of karma - in the third-place play-offs.

The two teams met three times after that match, but never in the World Cup. Tonight will be the night the English have been waiting for so long.

Only four of their players were in Russia when the "tragedy" happened: Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, John Stones, and Jordan Henderson. Croats outnumber them by three, as Luka Modric, Dominik Livakovic, Duje Caleta-Car, Mateo Kovacic, Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic, and the manager Zlatko Dalic were witnesses to the greatest success in Croatian football.

Devastated England players after the defeat (©Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Tonight may be the night for revenge - though either side's victory won't change much, as it's only the opening round and the result may mean little beyond pride - or yet another slap in the face.

Tonight, no one is dreaming like they were eight years ago. No one believes a win will mean it’s finally coming home. And no one is entirely sure of triumph.

Still, some scores must be settled. That's what serious teams worthy of a world crown do. Is England that team?

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE

Monday, 15.06.

Ivory Coast - Ecuador 1-0 (0-0)

/Diallo 90/

Sweden - Tunisia 5-1 (2-1)

/Ayari 7, 90+6, Isak 30, Gyokeres , Svanberg 84 - Rekik 43/

Spain - Cabo Verde 0-0

Belgium - Egypt 1-1 (0-1)

/Hany 66 og - Ashour 20/

Tuesday 16.06.

Saudi Arabia- Uruguay 1-1 (1-0)

/Amri 41 - Araujo 80/

Iran - New Zealand 2-2 (1-1)

/Ramin 33,Mohebi, 64- Just, 7,54/

France - Senegal 3-1 (0-0)

/Mbappe 66, 90+6 Barcola 82 - Mbaye 90+5/

Wednesday

Iraq - Norway 1-3 (1-2)

/Hussein 39 - Haaland 29, 43 Ostigard 76/

Argentina - Algeria 3-0 (1-0)

/Messi 17, 60, 76/

Austria - Jordan 3-1 (1-0)

/Schmid 21, Al-Arab 76 og, Arnautovic 90+12 pen - Olwan 50/

20.00: (1.30) Portugal (5.20) Dr Congo (11.0)

23.00: (1.75) England (3.90) Croatia (5.00)

Thursday

02.00: (2.25) Ghana (3.20) Panama (3.40)

05.00: (8.50) Uzbekistan (4.50) Colombia (1.42)

19.00: (1.80) Czech R. (3.50) S.Africa (4.70)

22.00: (1.65) Switzerland (3.60) B&H (5.80)

Friday

01.00: (1.32) Canada (5.10) Qatar (10.0)

04.00: (2.10) Mexico (3.30) S.Korea (3.70)

22.00: (1.65) USA (3.85) Australia (5.50)

Saturday

01.00: (4.70) Scotland (3.50) Morocco (1.80)

03.30: (1.12) Brazil (10.0) Haiti (16.0)

06.00: (2.10) Turkey (3.35) Paraguay (3.60)

20.00: (1.72) Netherlands (3.60) Sweden (5.30)

23.00: (1.58) Germany (4.00) Ivory Coast (5.90)

Sunday

03.00: (1.12) Ecuador (9.50) Curacao (19.0)

07.00: (6.50) Tunisia (3.60) Japan (1.60)

19.00: (1.10) Spain (10.5) Saudi Arabia (22.0)

***odds are subject to change***