Messi and Argentina to start their campaign today against Iceland
Lionel Messi-led Argentina will start their World Cup campaign against underdogs Iceland today in Moscow. Argentina are the favorites, but Iceland cannot be taken lightly. They had a stellar Euro 2016 campaign, where they made it to the quarter-finals and defeated England en route. A win or a draw here for Iceland could turn the tides in the Group D.
Where can you watch the FIFA World Cup 2018?
Football's premier tournament, the FIFA World Cup will be telecast live on the Sony Television Network. You can catch Lionel Messi and Argentina live in action at 6:30 PM IST on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Liv.
Iceland: The smallest nation to compete at World Cup
Iceland will create history when they take the field against Argentina. With a population of 334,000 Iceland is the smallest nation to compete at a World Cup. Gylfi Sigurdsson has made a comeback post suffering a knee injury. This provides a timely boost to the underdogs. The play-maker was Iceland's top scorer in the qualifiers with four goals to his name.
Last chance for Messi and company to win World Cup
This could be the last chance for Lionel Messi and the current golden generation of Argentina to lift the World Cup. After losing the 2014 FIFA World Cup final, followed by two back to back losses in Copa America, plenty of questions have been asked about the determination of this team. Messi and company will look to set that record straight starting today.
Maiden encounter between Argentina and Iceland
This is the first time that these two sides are meeting. Argentina have a good record against European nations in the World Cup group games, having lost just one of their last seven encounters. Argentina have also managed to keep clean sheets in three of their last four World Cup clashes against European nations. They have failed to score just twice including 2014 final.
Argentina are overwhelming favorites
This is Argentina's 17th World Cup campaign and 12 consecutive appearance at World Cup. With Messi and Aguero up front, Iceland will have to play their best football if they have to contain La Albiceleste. The duo will be assisted by likes Di Maria and Dybala. They have more firepower on the bench with Gonzalo Higuain ready to make an impact when called upon.
Argentina: Probable Playing XI
Willy Caballero, Eduardo Salvio, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Rojo, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Maximiliano Meza, Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero.
Iceland: Probable Playing XI
Hannes Halldorsson, Hordur Magnusson, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Kari Arnason, Birkir Saevarsson, Emil Hallfredsson, Aron Gunnarsson; Birkir Bjarnason, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Johann Gudmundsson and Jon Bodvarsson.
