World Cup 2018: 5 mouthwatering games in the group stages

With the World Cup just over 20 days away, the excitement continues to build, as the squads of all the 32-nations also get finalised. With the managers picking and finalising their 23 man squads, there have been surprising inclusions and exclusions.

However, for all the players selected, the World Cup begins in less than a month and there are some interesting group stage battles to look forward to.

Here we take a look at five matches that will produce some drama and excitement and could possibly be the most interesting matches in the group stages of the tournament.

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#5 Portugal vs Spain

The World Cup kicks off on June 14, with the Russians taking on the Saudi Arabians in the opener. On the 15th, the first big names game of the tournament takes place as Portugal will face Spain in a Group B clash.

Cristiano Ronaldo and co will begin the campaign with a hard test against the Spanish, in what hopes to be a scintillating game of football. The Spanish team had a hard opener even in 2014, as they took on the mighty Dutch, only to go down 5-1.

The current European Champions take on the former World Champions, in what promises to be an intriguing, tactical affair with excitement and drama played at a high intensity.

With both teams eager to get off to a good start, none of the two would want to begin the tournament with a loss. The two heavyweights will battle it out to determine who has the advantage over the other.

#4 Egypt vs Uruguay

Only 2 of the four countries will progress

Another fascinating game on the second day of the tournament, 15th June, pits Egypt against Uruguay, as Mo Salah, Liverpool's current talisman, will take on former Liverpool talisman Luis Suarez and co.

In what promises to be another enticing affair, the two sides will heavily rely on their attacking custodians to guide them past the group stages. With these two nations favorites to progress out of Group A, the winner of this tie could determine the group leaders heading into the knockout stages.

Uruguay has an experienced squad of players who have represented their country at the World Cup previously and, will be a hard team to break down.

Egpyt also possesses a strong squad capable of battling it out with any team in the world, but heavily rely on Salah for goals.

#3 Croatia vs Argentina

Messi and Modric will face each other for their respective countries

In what will be their second matches of the tournament, both Croatia and Argentina will be eager to get a victory over the other and stake their claim as group winners, at the end of 3 rounds of matches. The game takes place on 21st June.

Croatia has a well-balanced squad with experienced players capable of competing with the best in the world. With possibly the best midfield in the tournament, they will be hard to beat even for the Argentines who possess arguably the best strike force in the tournament.

Argentina manager Sampaoli has carefully selected his 23 players and made the setup around Messi. The veteran manager will need to balance and rotate his players but, looks set in almost every position with a backup in place. Both teams are dark horses to go far in the tournament.

#2 Germany vs Sweden

Last time Germany played Sweden in the semi-final of Euro 92

Reigning World Champions Germany will face their biggest test in the Group stages of the tournament against Sweden in the last game of Group F.

The Swedes qualified for the tournament ousting Italy and could shock the world, provided results go their way and, could knock out the holders of the competition, much like Spain were ousted in 2014. The game takes place on 23rd June.

Two strong, powerful teams will face each other to possibly determine the winners of the Group and decide their opponents for the next stage. Sweden looks good defensively but lacks some threat going forward.

Germany on the hand will be confident with their squad that they could go all the way and defend their trophy, becoming only the third team in history after Italy and Brazil did so in the 30's and 60s respectively.

#1 England vs Belgium

Southgate and Martinez will go head to head

Group G's final game of the World Cup takes place on 28th June, as England take on Belgium, in what might be a decider to see who gains the top spot, and a possible advantage going into the knockout rounds.

Gareth Southgate will go head to head against Roberto Martinez in a mouthwatering clash between two of the dark horses to win the tournament.

While both teams are relatively experienced, it could prove to be a cagey affair because of what could be at stake in the tournament.

However, with quality players in both sides, it hopes to be a grueling battle where a player might have to come up with something audacious to win his team the game.

England vs Belgium could be a battle to watch in the initial stages of the competition.