Soccer
The 2014 World Cup Runner-Up Argentina will face against the World Cup debutants Iceland in the Group D opening match on 16th June. Lionel Messi and Co. will kick their first match of the 2018 World Cup, with the hope of getting one position ahead than the 2014 World Cup, against the newcomer Iceland with the least population among the qualified nations with 335,000 inhabitants
Iceland were brilliant during the qualification campaign as they finished ahead of Croatia. On the other hand, Argentina were just opposite having waited until the last game to confirm their World Cup spot.
Iceland had a memorable Euro debut in 2016- reaching the quarterfinals of the tournament and also defeated mighty England.
The game between Argentina and Iceland will be conducted at Otkrytie Arena, Moscow 2 pm BST on Saturday, June 16.
Argentina
Goalkeeper: Willy Caballero
Defenders: Eduardo Salvio, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Rojo, Nicolas Tagliafico
Midfielders: Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Maximiliano Meza, Angel di Maria
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero
Players to Watch: Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria
Iceland
Goalkeeper: Halldorsson
Defenders: Saevarsson, Ingason, Sigurdsson, Magnusson
Midfielders: Gudmundsson, Gunnarsson, Hallfredsson, Bjarnason
Forwards: Sigurdsson; Finnbogason
Players to Watch: Gylfi Sigurðsson
The Live coverage of the game will start at 1.30pm on ITV and can listen to the live commentary on BBC sports.
Argentina and Iceland have never faced each other in any FIFA's competitive game or in friendly fixtures. These two are meeting for the first time.
Argentina, the two times World Cup winner, is expected to have the hold in the match with the likes of stars players like Messi, Di Maria, Aguero, Higuain etc. However, Iceland are termed as underdogs in the World Cup with some talented players like Gylfi Sigurðsson and Aron Gunnarsson.
The match seems 2-0 on Argentina's side.
Argentina: 4/11 (1.44)
Iceland: 9/1 (10.00)
Draw: 4/1 (5.00)
