Argentina will garner all the attention in Group D as Messi and Co will be looking to win the elusive World Cup. As Argentina is expected to top their group, we can expect an interesting duel for the second spot with the likes of Croatia and Nigeria, unless debutant Iceland have some other plans.
In 2014, Argentina lost out to Germany in the final when Mario Gotze scored the winner during extra-time to take Germany to their fourth title. So, Russia could well be Messi’s last opportunity to taste any kind of success with the national side.
Coach Sampaoli might have selection headaches with the likes of Angel di Maria, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala in the forward line. If they weren’t enough, there is also young Cristian Pavon who has shown great potential this season.
If we overlook the young, inexperienced goalkeepers at their disposable, Argentina has a decent defense with Nicolas Otamendi, who has performed brilliantly for Manchester City. Then there is Fazio and Marcos Rojo, who has also played well for Manchester United this season.
Argentina and Iceland will begin the proceedings in Group D on June 16 at the Otkrytie Arena in Moscow.
Between Croatia and Nigeria, the European side looks better to go past the group stages, courtesy their enviable midfield comprising Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Ivan Perisic, who had an outstanding season for Inter Milan. With Mario Mandzukic as the finisher, we can expect some beautiful football from them.
Nigeria have already made some noise with their new jersey. But the Super Eagles from Africa would like to replicate the buzz with their onfield performance in Russia. Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi and Chelsea’s Victor Moses will have to come up with a stellar performance if Nigeria would want edge past Croatia.
The last team in the group are debutant Iceland. With a population of 3.34 lakh, Iceland did the unimaginable when they qualified for the tournament last year. Expected to punch above their weight, Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton and Emil Hallfredsson will look to recreate the magic that took them to the quarterfinals of Euro 2016.
Squads:
Argentina's 23-man final squad: Nahuel Guzmán, Willy Caballero, Franco Armani; Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Federico Fazio, Nicolas Tagliafico, Marcos Rojo, Marcos Acuna, Cristian Ansaldi, Eduardo Salvio; Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria, Ever Banega, Lucas Biglia, Manuel Lanzini, Gio Lo Celso, Maximiliano Meza; Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Paulo Dybala, Cristian Pavon
Iceland's 23-man final squad: Hannes Thor Halldorsson, Runar Alex Runarsson, Frederik Schram; Kari Arnason, Ari Freyr Skulason, Birkir Mar Saevarsson, Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Hordur Magnusson, Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson, Ragnar Sigurdsson; Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Birkir Bjarnason, Arnor Ingvi Traustason, Emil Hallfredsson, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Olafur Ingi Skulason, Rurik Gislason, Samuel Fridjonsson, Aron Gunnarsson; Alfred Finnbogason, Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Albert Gudmundsson
Croatia's 23-man final squad: Danijel Subasic, Lovre Kalinic, Dominik Livakovic; Vedran Corluka, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic, Dejan Lovren, Sime Vrsaljko, Josip Pivaric, Tin Jedvaj, Matej Mitrovic, Duje Caleta-Car, Borna Sosa; Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mateo Kovacic, Milan Badelj, Marcelo Brozovic, Filip Bradaric; Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic, Nikola Kalinic, Andrej Kramaric, Marko Pjaca, Ante Rebic
Nigeria's 23-man preliminary squad: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi; William Troost-Ekong, Abdullahi Shehu, Tyronne Ebuehi, Elderson Echiejile, Bryan Idowu, Chidozie Awaziem, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo; Mikel John Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu, Joel Obi; Ahmed Musa, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi, Simeon Nwankwo
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)