The whole world looks forward to seeing Lionel Messi playing his first world cup match today. The suspense grows within people as Messi’s statement in a press conference saying that he can swap a cup of Barcelona just to earn the world cup for his country. There are no doubts that this is the biggest stage for this Footballing God to earn his respect for his country. Rumours also saying that this may be is the last world cup for Lionel Messi. Hence, a lot to expect from the side. After the great loss in 2014 world cup final the whole Argentina squad is ready to take on Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria respectively.
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With tactics of Jorge Sampaoli, his intense, high press, attacking game was a great success priorly with Chile and briefly Sevilla but does he have the players to conduct it with Argentina.
Lionel Messi will surely be the main attraction but also the whole forward consisting Aguero, Paulo Dybala can become the matchmaker. With the support of De Mari and Lucas Biglia the whole Argentine squad is one of the strongest in the world cup. But with the absence of a good Full- Back the team is lacking a defensive performance over the time.
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On the other hand, the newcomer Iceland has proved itself quite strong and aggressive throughout the year. With reports coming saying that the squad is really happy to be playing in the world cup. Iceland's remarkable major tournament debut popularised the "Viking clap" and coach Heimir Hallgrimsson, now in sole charge having overseen the European Championship run alongside Lars Largerback, is confident they can repeat those heroics on the world stage.
"If people still think it's a kind of Cinderella story, and that in some way we don’t deserve it, then they underestimate us," Hallgrimsson told The Guardian. "The group is equal and I think that's in our favor. If or when — I don't know which word to use — we get through there's not going to be any opponent much tougher than Argentina, Nigeria or Croatia.
Players to watch-
Argentina- Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria, Aguero, Dybala, Maximiliano Meza
Iceland- Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Arnor Ingvi Traustason
So, today it will be a match between Pressure and Pleasure and no doubt in saying all eyes will look at Lionel Messi and hope that he creates his magic on the ground of Spartak Stadium in Moscow.
