World Cup 2018: 5 intriguing games from the group stage

#2: Argentina vs Iceland - Group D - 16 June

Can Lionel Messi power Argentina past underdogs Iceland?

Iceland were, of course, the surprise package at Euro 2016, as they kept Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal quiet before upsetting a David Alaba-led Austria and most famously, England, en route to a Quarter-Final defeat by France.

Russia 2018 will be their first World Cup but their organisation, heart and willingness to work hard makes them a tricky side for anyone to handle. More of their players are now plying their trade in top European leagues, and don’t forget they finished above Croatia in qualifying.

Argentina meanwhile are usually considered amongst the favourites for any World Cup, but even with Lionel Messi leading the line that doesn’t seem to be the case this time. They stumbled through qualification, losing to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay along the way, and had to rely on a Messi hat-trick in their final game to avoid being condemned to a playoff spot.

While they do have one of the world’s best in Messi – as well as other huge talents like Sergio Aguero and Paulo Dybala – their defence this time is notably weak and they recently lost goalkeeper Sergio Romero to injury too. Could a big upset in favour of Iceland be on the cards on the opening weekend of the World Cup? Stranger things have happened.