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Croatia have inflicted enough pain on England over the years to prove they can never be underestimated.

Since playing their first official international match 154 years ago, England have built intense rivalries with several nations. Scotland were their opponents back in November 1872, and the ‘Auld Enemy’ have remained their most familiar adversaries ever since. Other fierce contests have come and gone — such as the famous clashes with Hungary, whose Mighty Magyars led by Ferenc Puskas dominated in the 1950s, though they have never regained that same stature since.

England’s rivalry with Croatia first sparked during their Euro 2004 group-stage encounter, when Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side triumphed 4-2 against a team that featured Igor Tudor on the scoresheet. Since then, the fixture has become one of the defining battles of the 21st century for England — and its next chapter unfolds today.

England might consider themselves slightly unfortunate to face such a challenging opponent — the world’s 11th-ranked team — in their opening World Cup fixture. Croatia, on the other hand, feel equally unlucky to have drawn England. Speaking in Varazdin last week, Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic admitted that today’s meeting at Dallas Stadium in Arlington could “destroy everything” for his side at this World Cup.

This match marks yet another instalment in what has become a modern footballing rivalry of genuine substance. While Croatia are no longer considered the unstoppable force they once were, their high world ranking and the presence of several familiar faces — veterans who have conquered England in previous tournaments and qualifiers — maintain their threat. Yet, the golden generation is gradually fading, with many of its heroes either retiring or nearing the end of their careers.

Tottenham’s Luka Vuskovic and Como’s Martin Baturina — who scored a stunning free-kick for Croatia’s U21 team against England three years ago — headline the new generation. However, there is no clear sign they will replicate the strength of their predecessors.

Luka Modric, now 40, will continue to dictate the tempo for Croatia against England in Arlington. Ivan Perisic, aged 37, Andrej Kramaric, 34, and Mateo Kovacic, 32, were all part of the side that reached the 2018 World Cup final after eliminating Gareth Southgate’s England in the semi-final in Moscow. They remain remnants of a great team, even though recent defeats to Brazil and Belgium suggest their powers may be waning.

While England enter as favourites, they are fully aware that Croatia represent the biggest threat and the greatest risk of dropped points in their three Group L fixtures. Thomas Tuchel’s analytical team have concentrated more on the tactical complexities presented by the Croats than on Ghana or Panama — a logical move given Croatia’s shift from a traditional 4-3-3 setup to a back-three system, with Modric and Kovacic forming a two-man midfield at its heart.

Croatia may have aged, and the nature of the challenge has evolved, but this remains a stern opening test for Tuchel’s men.

By eliminating England in the 2018 World Cup semi-final and defeating them home and away in Euro 2008 qualifying — famously denying the Three Lions a place in the tournament — Croatia have caused England enough heartbreak to ensure they will not be taken lightly again, regardless of their current form.

“I think it is quite obvious that they still have their core,” Tuchel noted, referring to Modric and the remaining members of Croatia’s golden generation who continue to strive for one last major triumph against England.

England’s analysts have completed their preparations. The squad have trained in hot-weather conditions, and Tuchel has made the strategic choices he believes will give England the best possible start in Dallas and set the tone for their World Cup campaign.

Whether viewed as a bogey fixture or a grudge match, England know the time for preparation is over — and it is finally time to deliver.