MOSCOW, June 12, 2018 (News Wires) - This year, only Group D comes close to what would be deemed as the 'group of death'. Largely, this is because nothing is obvious and automatic in the group. The group consists of Argentina, Nigeria, Iceland and Croatia. All these teams are capable of making a run at least to the round of 16. Argentina Argentina came close to winning the World Cup four years ago, and after two more bitter disappointments consecutive defeats on penalties to Chile in the Copa America and Cope America Centenario, Lionel Messi's window to win a major international trophy is closing. After briefly retiring from international play in 2016, Messi almost solely carried his country to Russia, sealing Argentina's place with a hat trick against Ecuador on the final day of qualifying. Argentina will open its World Cup against Iceland. Croatia Croatia can compete with almost anyone. The midfield combination of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mateo Kovacic is difficult to match. Whether the team that beat Spain 2–1 at Euro 2016 or the team that drew Finland in qualifying shows up to Russia is anyone's guess, but Zlatko Dalic's side has the quality to win this group. However, Croatia hasn't advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup in 20 years. Nigeria Nigeria is a team on the rise making its third straight World Cup appearance. The Super Eagles are rife with young talent, like Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho and they'll rely on a dynamic counterattack that could surprise Croatia or even Argentina, which lost 4–2 to Nigeria in a November friendly in Russia (albeit playing without Messi). Iceland Iceland is everyone's favorite underdog and one of the best stories in sports. What the World Cup debutants have accomplished this last cycle is nothing short of remarkable. They qualified for Euro 2016 and advanced through the group stage (and drew with eventual champion Portugal).They upset England to reach the quarterfinal and earned a place at the World Cup by topping a qualifying group that featured Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey. They were rewarded with the closest thing this tournament has to a group of death. Players to watch Lionel Messi (Argentina): What, you thought I was going to say Higuain? No team's chances hinge as much on one player as Argentina's with Messi. If anyone can handle that unfathomable burden, it's the greatest player of this generation. Luka Modric (Croatia): Modric's ability to control the midfield will be pivotal. His quality gives Croatia an opportunity to beat Argentina on the second matchday. John Obi Mikel (Nigeria): The former Chelsea man, now playing in China, is past his prime, but the young Super Eagles will need his veteran presence advance through a difficult group. Johan Berg Gudmundsson (Iceland): The winger appeared in 35 Premier League games for Burnley last season, helping the club earn a place in the Europa League. He'll play a big role in Iceland's attack, alongside Everton's Gylfi Sigurdsson. Iceland will sit back and absorb pressure from the likes of Argentina and Croatia, so the team's attackers will have to capitalize on limited scoring opportunities. Group Fixtures: * Saturday, June 16 : Argentina vs. Iceland * Saturday, June 16 : Croatia vs. Nigeria * Thursday, June 21 : Argentina vs. Croatia * Friday, June 22 : Nigeria vs. Iceland * Tuesday, June 26 : Nigeria vs. Argentina * Tuesday, June 26 : Iceland vs. Croatia
