Best Bet: England Win $1.70 · Value: Jude Bellingham to Score or Assist $2.10
Published 18 June 2026 · Odds: Sportsbet · 18+
A rematch of the 2018 World Cup semi-final — the game that broke English hearts in Moscow. That night in the Luzhniki Stadium, Croatia came from behind to beat England 2-1 after extra time, ending a run of momentum that had convinced an entire nation its team might finally go all the way. For English fans, the name Modric still carries a sting; for Croatian fans, it remains the greatest result in their footballing history. Eight years on, they meet again at a World Cup — and the dynamic has fundamentally changed. This is no longer a match between equals. England arrive at AT&T Stadium as heavy favourites and legitimate contenders for the tournament. Croatia arrive knowing this could be among the final chapters for a golden generation.
England under their current management are a settled, powerful squad with depth across every position. The attacking core of Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Phil Foden (Man City) and Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) is genuinely world-class — three players at the peak of their careers, at three of the biggest clubs in Europe, all in form. Bellingham’s ability to influence games from deep and arrive late into the box makes him almost uncontainable; Foden is arguably England’s most technically gifted player since the days of Paul Scholes; Kane, England’s all-time leading scorer, has continued to produce at Bayern despite their domestic struggles, and brings an ice-cold finishing ability that will punish any defensive slips. Beyond those three, England have cover in every line: a reliable goalkeeper, experienced centre-backs and wide players who can stretch even the most organised defensive block.
Croatia’s golden generation, the story of two consecutive tournaments — runners-up in 2018, third place in 2022 — is coming to a close and the signs of decline are visible. Luka Modric turns 40 in September. He remains a beautiful footballer, still capable of producing moments of genius, but the physical demands of a World Cup group stage at altitude in Dallas are a genuine question for a player his age. Croatia lost Ivan Perisic, one of their most dynamic players, to serious injury at a critical time, and while Josko Gvardiol has developed into a world-class defender at Man City, the Croatian squad beyond the familiar names lacks the depth and intensity to replicate 2018 and 2022. Their route through qualification was more laboured; their squad generation is transitioning without the same quality coming through.
Our read is straightforward: England win this convincingly and make a statement of intent for the tournament. The 2018 narrative provides motivation, not pressure — this is a different English team, with different quality and a different mentality. Bellingham or Foden will be directly involved in the goals, Kane will score, and Croatia will be left to wonder how a generation that peaked so brilliantly ended here. England Win at $1.70 is the play; Bellingham to Score or Assist at $2.10 is the value prop to stack alongside it.
Anytime goalscorer and score/assist markets. Our picks highlighted in green.
| Player | Team | Anytime Scorer | Score or Assist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jude Bellingham | England | $2.80 | $2.10 ⭐ |
| Harry Kane | England | $2.20 | $1.75 |
| Phil Foden | England | — | $2.40 |
| Luka Modric | Croatia | — | $3.50 |
England: Squad reported as fully fit — no confirmed absences. Croatia: Managing some concerns around Luka Modric’s match fitness — monitor team news closer to kick-off. No confirmed absences for either side at time of publishing.
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