World Cup 2018: Group B Preview
Ronaldo had to watch from the sidelines in 2016 as Portugal won their first ever major tournament. Will he be able to lead them to glory on the biggest stage in fútbol?
Portugal
FIFA Rank: #4
Qualified as: Winners of UEFA Group B
The Skinny
With all the hype surrounding the defending World Cup champions Germany, as well as the mouthwatering amounts of talent at Belgium, France and Spain, it's easy to forget that Portugal are in fact the reigning champions of Europe. Sure, their bus-parking style of play in 2016 may have turned off the shine of their magical run for many soccer fans (including yours truly), but last year's 3rd-place finish at the Confederations Cup reinforced Portugal's staying power. Both tournaments also introduced the World to Portugal's wave of young talent, which has to make fans of the Seleção das Quinas excited for this year and beyond.
The Best XI
The talismanic Cristiano starting up top is a sure thing, but he might perhaps be best aided by two other forwards, in the manner of Real Madrid. Enter two Silvas: André, of AC Milan, and Bernardo, of Manchester City. Both young stars were attacking breakouts at the Confederations Cup last year. On the other end of the age spectrum are 36-year old Bruno Alves and 35-year old Pepe, a center back pairing that has helmed Portugal's defense for a decade. It may be risky to have such age (and surely a slower pace) in the back line, but any liability would likely be offset by the younger fullbacks, Dortmund's Raphaël Guerreiro and Southampton's Cédric.
Spain
FIFA Rank: #8
Qualified as: Winners of UEFA Group G
The Skinny
Spain has had a bizarre decade. Their Euro Cup victory in 2008 (their first major tournament title ever) sparked an absurd spell of dominance that involved a 2nd-straight Euro Cup win in 2012, a World Cup title in 2010, and at one point, 39 consecutive victories. Then came the spectacular flameout at the last World Cup: the defending champions exited at the Group Stage just a week into the competition, thanks to losses of 5-1 and 2-0. Their Euro 2016 'run' wasn't much better; Spain were eliminated in the Round of 16 after two consecutive losses to Croatia and Italy. Aging of the old guard and a lack of chemistry seemed to be what doomed La Roja the last two tournaments they've appeared in, but there is reason to be extremely optimistic this time around. For one, the influx of younger stars (Man United's David De Gea and the Real Madrid foursome of Marco Asensio, Dani Carvajal, Isco and Lucas Vásquez) have greatly reinforced their quality. Perhaps more importantly, any chemistry issues between league rivals appear to have been mollified, as Spain has not dropped a decision since that loss in 2016, and have started this year off by drawing Germany in Düsseldorf and shellacking Argentina, 6-1.
The Best XI
I've no clue how likely it is that Spain return to the 4-6-0 formation they famously employed en route to Euro 2012 triumph, but the squad selection deems it probable. They've called up 8 midfielders to just 3 forwards, and of the three only an out-of-form Diego Costa is a name you'd expect to supplant one of the star midfielders. This formation both plays perfectly into Spain's style of play and in this case, would maximize their talent. The "false 9" could be filled by David Silva, who flexes between midfielder and forward with ease, and would be joined up top by the Real duo of Asensio and Isco. Andres Iniesta and Koke, two midfielders magnificent at pulling the strings would sit in the middle of the park, with Sergio Busquets. At the back, they have of course the best keeper in the World sitting behind a vaunted back line. The central pairing of Gerard Pique and demon-who-shall-not-be-named is as iconic and experienced as the aforementioned Portugal duo.
Morocco
FIFA Rank: #42
Qualified as: Winners of CAF Group C
The Skinny
Morocco hadn't qualified for a World Cup in 20 years, but they more than earned their spot this year. The Atlas Foxes (coolest nickname, btw) topped a qualifying group that included African stalwarts Ivory Coast and talent-laden Gabon, and did so without conceding a single goal. A SINGLE GOAL. Perhaps it goes without saying, but if they're going to make a splash at this tournament, they're going to do so on the backs of their defense.
The Best XI
If defense is (mostly) what got them to the Cup, why wouldn't Morocco splurge on defense? This 5-4-1 formation would be anchored at the back by captain and Juventus mainstay Medhi Benatia, but would be nicely complemented by Achraf Hakimi (a 19-year old already signed by Real Madrid), and fullbacks Roman Saïss and Nabil Dirar, from Wolverhampton and Fenerbache. Alone at the top is striker Khalid Boutaïb, Morocco's leading goalscorer in qualifying. A talented midfield includes players from Ajax, Feyenoord and Galatasaray.
Iran
FIFA Rank: #36
Qualified as: Winners of AFC Group A
The Skinny
Not only have 'Team Melli' become mainstays in the World Cup, they've been the best team in all of Asia since December of 2014 -- nearly 4 years now. Behind a sneakily talented squad and manager Carlos Quieroz (formerly at Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Portugal), they may be their country's best shot yet at notching a Cinderella run in the World Cup. Given their group, it will be an uphill battle, and in fact, the talent gap might be too much to overcome. Nevertheless, expect nothing other than huge amounts of effort and disciplined tactics from them.
The Best XI
For a team that's often noteworthy for their defensive prowess-- they conceded only twice in the final round of qualifying, and in their last World Cup appearance, only a last-minute Lionel Messi wondergoal stood between them and a goalless draw with Argentina --there's a surprising amount of attacking talent in this squad. As such, their Best XI features only 3 at the back, with essentially 5 at the top. Olympiacos' Kasim Ansarifard and Sardar Azmoun, who already has 24 goals for his country at the age of 23, are the clear choices up top. But the attack continues through the midfield, which includes two Iranian legends in captain and star player Masoud Shojaei and Nottingham Forest's Ashkan Dejagah.
Group Prediction
This is clearly a top-heavy group, which is a real shame, as both Iran and Morocco would be capable of playing spoiler if placed in different groups. As it is, I think at least one of them (I'll say Morocco because #defense) is going to be good enough to take a point off at least one of the group's titans (I'll say Portugal because #inconsistent). In what is undoubtedly the star matchup of this group, I expect Spain to edge their Iberian rivals, though really no result from that matchup would surprise me.