World Cup: Argentina to rely on attacking threat in Group D

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09:07

Group D features Argentina who will face tough competition in the form of Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria.

Argentina is a two-time World Cup winner, yet they only booked their ticket to Russia at the last minute after a turbulent qualifying campaign which was led by three different coaches.

Argentina's forward Lionel Messi (L) and teammates attend a training session at the FC Barcelona "Joan Gamper" sports center in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona, June 7, 2018. /VCG Photo

Jorge Sampaoli only confirmed the team's list of players on May 21. The Argentina coach selected Gonzalo Higuain of Juventus, Manchester City's Sergio Aguero and Barcelona's Lionel Messi as his forwards. But, despite scoring 29 goals for Inter Milan this season, Mauro Icardi was omitted to the squad.

After a recent period of disappointment, the 2014 World Cup runners-up look to use this attacking force to end their lengthy trophy in Russia.

Croatia's forward Mario Mandzukic and midfielders Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric attend a training session. /VCG photo

Despite the unimpressive World Cup history, Croatian fans have reasons to be optimistic about their team's chances of success in Russia, as most of their team player for the top clubs in Europe.

Thanks to steady old hands such as Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic counterbalanced nicely by the youthful blood of the likes of Marko Pjaca and Mateo Kovacic. Croatia have the best chance of challenging Brazil for the top spot of their group.

Nigerian team players train at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, May 28, 2018. /VCG Photo

This World Cup will mark Nigeria's sixth time at football's greatest showpiece. To achieve their goals in Russia, the team is relying on young players who will be playing at the World Cup for the first time.

However, the veteran John Obi Mikel, who currently plays as a midfielder for Chinese club Tianjin Teda, will captain the team. There are several international stars in the Super Eagles team, including Changchun Yatai striker Odion Jude Ighalo and Chelsea forward Victor Moses.

Iceland’s national soccer team is training at Laugardalsvoellur stadium, Reykjavik, Iceland on June 1, 2018. /VCG Photo

With a population of about 330,000, Iceland made history in the European Championship two years ago in France by reaching the quarter finals, and the Nordic country’s national team continued its unexpectedly good form by qualifying for its first World Cup.

Most of the players in Iceland's 23-man squad for the World Cup also featured on the country's Euro 2016 roster, such as Gylfi Sigurdsson and Aron Gunnarsson.

Two years ago, almost ten percent of Iceland's population headed to France to support the Nordic team, where their enthusiastic supporters performed the famous "Viking Thunder clap." This will be repeated in Russia, and may just help Iceland shock the world once again.