GROUP D
ARGENTINA
FIFA RANKING: 5
WORLD CUP HISTORY
16/13 FINALS / QUALIFYING CAMPAIGNS
FIRST FWC: 1930 LAST FWC: 2014
BEST ACHIEVEMENT: Champion 1978, 1986
FIRST STAGE
16 APPEARANCES
SEMIFINALS
5 APPEARANCES
FINAL
5 APPEARANCES
TITLES
2 CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE COACH
JORGE SAMPAOLI
The Argentinian led Chile to the knockout stages at Brazil 2014, and his brand of high-tempo pressing football has now helped his home country to Russia 2018. Sampaoli was La Albiceleste’s third coach in a tumultuous qualifying campaign, with the 2015 Copa America winner finding the right formula to reach Russia.
THE GOAL
ECU – ARG (1-3) 10 OCT 2017
Having gone behind to Ecuador after one minute, Argentina’s Russia 2018 hopes looked dead. Enter the majesty of Lionel Messi. Scoring a thrilling
hat-trick, he capped off his treble with a masterful solo effort.
THE STAR
LIONEL MESSI
Considered one of the best footballers in history, Messi has been voted FIFA’s player of the year on five separate occasions. Argentina’s captain and all-time leading goalscorer will be making his fourth
World Cup appearance at Russia 2018.
ICELAND
FIFA RANKING: 22
WORLD CUP HISTORY
0/13 FINALS / QUALIFYING CAMPAIGNS
FIRST FWC: 2018 LAST FWC: —-
BEST ACHIEVEMENT: —-
FIRST STAGE
0 APPEARANCES
SEMIFINALS
0 APPEARANCES
FINAL
0 APPEARANCES
TITLES
0 CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE COACH
HEIMIR HALLGRIMSSON
A former dentist who previously served as joint-head coach with Lars Lagerback, Hallgrimsson has overseen Iceland’s remarkable rise. Having led the team with Lagerback at UEFA EURO 2016, he was in sole charge as they reached a first World Cup – becoming the smallest country by population ever to qualify – by topping Group I.
THE GOAL
ISL – KOS (2-0) 9 OCT 2017
A first ever appearance at a FIFA World Cup was the prize for victory and Iceland talisman Gylfi Sigurdsson was keen to grasp it, sending them on their way to a win with this nerveless solo effort.
THE STAR
GYLFI SIGURÐSSON
Iceland’s talismanic midfield playmaker has been named his country’s footballer of the year for the last five years running. Sigurdsson supplied four goals and
as many assists in the team’s Russia 2018 qualifying campaign.
CROATIA
FIFA RANKING: 20
WORLD CUP HISTORY
4/6 FINALS / QUALIFYING CAMPAIGNS
FIRST FWC: 1998 LAST FWC: 2014
BEST ACHIEVEMENT: 3rd place 1998
FIRST STAGE
4 APPEARANCES
SEMIFINALS
1 APPEARANCES
FINAL
0 APPEARANCES
TITLES
0 CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE COACH
ZLATKO DALIC
Having replaced Ante Cacic as Croatia coach in October 2017, Dalic led the Balkan nation through a play-off, where they defeated Greece 4-1 on aggregate to secure their spot at Russia 2018. He previously coached UAE club Al-Ain and led them to the 2016 AFC Champions League final.
THE GOAL
CRO – GRE (4-1) 9 NOV 2017
With a right-footed flick, Nikola Kalinic put Croatia firmly in the driving seat of their European play-off, as his deft touch sensationally steered his nation towards Russia.
THE STAR
LUKA MODRIC
Described recently by Andriy Shevchenko as “one of the best midfielders ever", Modric is certainly among the world’s finest right now. Croatia will be relying on this FIFA/FIFPro World XI member and three-time UEFA Champions League winner to pull the strings at Russia 2018.
NIGERIA
FIFA RANKING: 48
WORLD CUP HISTORY
5/13 FINALS / QUALIFYING CAMPAIGNS
FIRST FWC: 1994 LAST FWC: 2014
BEST ACHIEVEMENT: Round of 16 1994, 1998, 2014
FIRST STAGE
5 APPEARANCES
SEMIFINALS
0 APPEARANCES
FINAL
0 APPEARANCES
TITLES
0 CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE COACH
GERNOT ROHR
Rohr is one of the most experienced coaches in Africa, having enjoyed stints with Gabon, Niger and Burkina Faso. The German took charge of Nigeria in August 2016 and immediately revived their fortunes, with the Super Eagles qualifying for Russia 2018 with a game to spare, becoming the first African team to secure their spot.
THE GOAL
NGA – ZAM (1-0) 7 OCT 2017
A slick Super Eagles move between Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi was slotted home superbly by the Arsenal youngster, sending Nigeria soaring towards Russia 2018.
THE STAR
JOHN OBI MIKEL
Nigeria’s captain remains their key man in central midfield. A UEFA Champions League winner with Chelsea, Mikel’s experience, strength and composure will be vital to the Super Eagles in Russia.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
