5 special group-stage matches at Russia 2018 well worth the wait 

Every FIFA World Cup has its share of remarkable group stage matches, some are even engraved in footballing history forever. With the groups for Russia 2018 already in place, and the schedule fixed, these special five fixtures promise to enthrall every neutral football fan.

#1. Portugal–Spain (Group B, 15th June)

Portugal and Spain have been rivals since the time the Pope divided the unexplored world into two halves, and granted one part each to these Iberian countries. This tradition of rivalry has maintained itself in football too and goes back a long way, to 18 December, 1921, when Portugal lost its first ever international football match to Spain at Madrid, 3 goals to 1.

A devastated Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal were beaten by Spain in the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2012.

In more recent times, Spain defeated Portugal in their UEFA Euro 2012 Semi-finals encounter on penalties after the full-time score was a nil-nil draw. They then went on to win the tournament. Two years before that, at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, a sole David Villa strike helped Spain see off Portugal and proceed to the quarter-finals. Now ranked 3rd by FIFA, the reigning European champions, led by their five-time Ballon d'Or winning captain Cristiano Ronaldo, will be looking to bury the ghosts of their past meetings with La Roja, and sparks are sure to fly.

#2. Argentina–Iceland (Group D, 16 June)

After managing to scrape through in their last match, thanks to captain Lionel Messi, Argentina have a lot to prove in their opening fixture. Iceland will be playing their first ever World Cup match, after they became the lowest-populated nation to ever qualify for a World Cup. After topping their qualifiers group, and knocking England out of UEFA Euro in 2016, Aron Gunnarsson and his fellows teammates are a team to reckon with. Of course, Iceland's special fans and their Viking-styled cheering in unison is a sensory delight!

A jubilant Iceland team celebrating with their fans after knocking England out of UEFA Euro 2012.

This will be the first time these two teams play each other in history. Group D is the closest to a 'group of death' in this World Cup, Nigeria and Croatia being the other two teams. A victory will be essential for both teams, and it will be interesting to see in what form and spirit Messi and the rest of La Albiceleste open their World Cup.

#3. Brazil–Switzerland (Group E, 17 June)

With the wounds of their worst loss ever in a World Cup match still healing, Neymar Jr. and his team will be looking to start afresh come June 17th. However, it will be no walk in the park to defeat this Swiss team. Currently, Brazil are ranked 2nd in the FIFA World Ranking and Switzerland, 8th.

Neymar Jr. wrestling for the ball during an international friendly against Switzerland, in 2013.

The Swiss play extremely well as a team. This was evident in their qualifying campaign, and there is not lack of individual talent either: Arsenal's Granit Xhaka, Stoke City's Xerdan Shaqiri and Juventus' Stephan Lichtsteiner are familiar names. As for Brazil, the priceless experience of veterans Thiago Silva, Dani Alves and Marcelo will be beneficial for some of the younger players like Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus. The last time the teams met, in 2013, the Swiss beat Brazil 1-0 in an international friendly.

#4. Germany–Sweden (Group F, 23 June)

Defending champions Germany, also the current 1st ranked team, come into the World Cup as favourites after being the only team to win all 10 matches in their qualifying campaign. Joachim Löw's men play as menacing as ever. Sweden finished second in their group, below leaders France, and above Netherlands. They then went on to eliminate Italy in the play-off round, proving their resilience and strength.

Germany beat Sweden 2-0 in the Round of 16 match in their home tournament, the 2016 World Cup.

The last time these two teams met, in 2013 during the qualifiers for the Brazil World Cup, André Schürrle scored a hat-trick helping Germany vanquish Sweden 5-3. In 2006, Germany knocked Sweden out in the Round of 16, when they won 2-0 in front of home fans. Another classic encounter was all the way back in UEFA Euro 1992, when Germany beat Sweden 3-2 to reach the final.

This will be a fine opportunity to judge Germany's prospects of a title defence, in their attempt to join Italy and Brazil in being the only teams to ever successfully defend the World Cup.

#5. Belgium–England (Group G, 28 June)

Though dismal performances in recent tournaments have made fans underrate England, they still are a very beloved team. On the other hand, Belgium are one of the strongest teams going into the 2018 World Cup with the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Cortouis, Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembélé in their ranks.

Erstwhile English captain Steven Gerrard attempts to win the ball during an international friendly in 2012, when England beat Belgium 1-0, thanks to a Danny Welbeck strike.

What makes this match-up special is that all of the aforementioned Belgian players play for English clubs in the Premier League and are very familiar to England's players. The English would give it their all in a concerted effort to make it past the group stage, unlike in 2014 when they crashed out after finishing fourth in their group.