World Cup 2018: Group D Preview
It may be the last chance for the greatest player of our generation to win a World Cup. Does his team have enough gas in the tank?
Argentina
FIFA Rank: #5
Qualified as: 3rd Place in CONMEBOL
The Skinny
Argentina is one of the biggest enigmas there is in international soccer; not only do they seem to consistently underachieve, relative to their talent, but people consistently can't figure out why they've underachieved. This time around, it may be the same story it always is with Los Albicelestes: they're simply dripping with talent in attack, but their midfield and back line are a liability. Argentina came oh-so-close to winning it all 4 years ago, dropping a 1-0 overtime decision in the Final to Germany, in a match that, to be fair, they should have won. Nearly 3 years later, they came oh-so-close to missing the Cup altogether, needing a Lionel Messi hat trick on the final day of qualifying to even make the tournament. It remains to be seen whether they have the juice or motivation to take that final step this year.
The Best XI
If your liability is going to be in midfield, you may as well cover it up with 4 up top! Seriously, Manchester City's Sergio Agüero and Juventus' Pablo Dybala would already be one of the best forward tandems in the World, let alone when you add Paris Saint-Germain star Angel Di Maria and, you know, the World's greatest player on the two wings. This allows the two central stalwarts Argentina have in midfield, Javier Mascherano and Éver Banega, to hold a more defensive role. At the back, an already-vulnerable defensive situation was made worse when star keeper Sergio Romero was sent home with an injury. The most likely bet to replace him is old vet Willy Caballero, who rides the bench at Chelsea.
Iceland
FIFA Rank: #22
Qualified as: Winners of UEFA Group I
The Skinny
If you're new to soccer-- heck, even if you're old to soccer, welcome to your new favorite team. The nation of 300,000 captured everyone's hearts with their stunning quarterfinal run in the 2016 Euro Cup, and Strákarnir okkar ("Our boys") are back again, on an even bigger stage this time! Iceland will, of course, be underdogs yet again, particularly in the Group of Death, but if opposing teams haven't learned by now to not take them for granted, they're in for a lot of trouble. They've beaten some serious heavyweights between Euro Cup qualifying, the Euro Cup, and now World Cup qualifying, and this is a roster littered with legitimate talent.
The Best XI
Iceland's strongest 11 set up perfectly for a 4-2-3-1. Star man Gylfi Sigurdsson commands a central attacking midfield role, with Burnley's Jóhann Gudmundsson and Udinese's Emil Hallfredsson flanking him. They'll be supporting Alfred Finnbogason, Iceland's 2nd-leading scorer (behind Sigurdsson), and they'll be supported by Iceland and Cardiff City captain Aron Gunnarsson as well as Aston Villa's Birkir Bjarnason. In the back, Ragnar Sigurdsson helms a back line that will have 225 Caps between them.
Croatia
FIFA Rank: #18
Qualified as: 2nd place in UEFA Group I and winners of playoff vs. Greece
The Skinny
Did I say Argentina was the biggest enigma there is in international soccer? I meant Croatia. At least in recent years. From Euro 2008 to most recently, Euro 2016, seemingly every major tournament The Blazers have been in, they've been a trendy dark-horse pick to make a deep run. Yet, in the 3 Euro Cup and 2 World Cup appearances they've made in the era of this golden generation, they've never made it past the first knockout stage. So, who knows what to expect from this team? Some of the best talent in the World appears on their roster, in every position (but particularly in midfield). Yet, will that fact matter more this year than it has in the last decade when it's been relevant? We will see.
The Best XI
Though there is talent galore on this side, it wasn't too hard to figure out what their Starting XI should be. Without a doubt, Juventus and Croatia great Mario Mandžukić should be up top, and it only makes sense to have Real Madrid teammates Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić, as well as Barcelona player Ivan Rakitić, in the middle of play. At the back, the iconic Ćorluka partners with Liverpool's mainstay Dejan Lovren in the center, and they're flanked by fullbacks who start for Atlético Madrid and Besiktas, respectively.
Nigeria
FIFA Rank: #47
Qualified as: Winners of CAF Group B
The Skinny
Nigeria has already won the World Cup with their jerseys...will they be as good on the field, as they have been in the department stores? The Super Eagles began to rule African football in the late 90s, and after a disappointing first decade in the 2000s, it may be time to start referring to them as the kings of Africa again. This is their 3rd straight World Cup appearance; they were the first team to qualify from Africa, despite being in a group with two of the most recent African Cup of Nations champions Zambia and Cameroon, as well as the talented Algeria, who nearly made a World Cup quarterfinal run 4 years ago. Nigeria may have questions to answer for coaching at times, as well as its defending. But the talent is there, especially at the top of the pitch, to make yet another surprise advancement from group play.
The Best XI
Ahmed Musa was the breakout star of the last World Cup, and if I were manager, the Leicester City loanee would start up top alongside Manchester City talent Kelechi Iheanacho. Rounding out the 'Premier League Front 4' are wingers Victor Moses, of Chelsea and Alex Iwobi, of Arsenal. Captain John Obi Mikel is back for yet another Cup, in a central midfield role alongside fellow veteran, Ogenyi Onazi. They may also be asked to support a young back line, which includes 19-year old keeper (!) Francis Uzoho.
Group Prediction
This is the first group so far (and may be the only one) where I truly believe any team could finish in any position in this group. I mean it; even with Argentina's and Croatia's clear talent advantage, given those teams' inconsistent performances in major tournaments, nothing would surprise me here. Because I have to make a prediction, I'm going to say that essentially all 4 teams are fighting it out for 2 spots on the last matchday. Argentina matches up nicely with Nigeria-- who they've played in the last 2 World Cups already --because of their open, attacking style. And Iceland? Do you think they can't get a needed win over Croatia when it matter? What if I told you...they'd done it 3 times in the last 2 years; twice in 2016 Euro Cup qualifying, and once again last year in World Cup qualifying. UP THE VIKINGS!