Iceland’s inaugural World Cup match is against the finalists from 2014.
The contrast between these sides is vast because Argentina have won the World Cup on two previous occasions, with this being their 17th tournament.
Iceland are at their first tournament fresh from having a big impact in their major international tournament debut at the 2016 Euros.
They drew against Portugal and beat England on the way to the quarter-finals, so they shouldn’t be underestimated. Just getting out of this group would be a good achievement for them.
This is likely to be Lionel Messi’s major chance to win the prestigious trophy and Jorge Sampaoli has started to build a cohesive system.
Therefore, they will be formidable opponents for any team, and attempting to stifle Messi will be key in stopping them.
If this side can click and become better than the sum of the individual parts then it could be a real force. They aren’t seen as one of the main favorites, but that could suit them.
World Cup preparation
Argentina only played one friendly between the end of the domestic season and the tournament; it was a 4-0 victory over a poor Haiti side.
They had another friendly lined up against Israel, but that ended up being cancelled. This has given them the benefit of working on their shape and learning Sampaoli’s ideas. However, the 6-1 loss to Spain in March will no doubt be on the back of their minds.
Iceland’s preparation was far from ideal because they lost 3-2 to Norway and drew 2-2 with Ghana.
Norway were managed by Lars Lagerback who helped guide them to their first major international tournament. Neither side are at the World Cup, so these were poor results even if they were friendlies.
They have only won two of their last eight matches, with both those victories being over Indonesia. Although it seems like Heimir Hallgrímsson was trying out some new personnel with mixed success.
Players to watch
Argentina: Lionel Messi
There are a number of talented players in this Argentina side, but none more so than the Barcelona legend. He is the glue which holds this team together as well as why they have a chance of winning this tournament.
Messi is a unique player in that he can fill a number of roles at once as he has for Barcelona in recent seasons.
His chief task in this team is creating chances because Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala are all excellent finishers. Ever Banega is the only other major creative influence.
His performances will inevitably be compared with Cristiano Ronaldo’s due to them being at the top of the sport. Therefore, he has some way to go to match Ronaldo’s impressive hat trick against a stunning Spanish side.
However, he seems well prepared for this tournament, so something special could be brewing over the next month.
In the top games they will need him to be the difference-maker and his goal scoring exploits will be important as well. It’s a lot of responsibility for one player, but he’s used to it by now.
Iceland: Gylfi Sigurdsson
He is the creative spark in an efficient unit that can grind out results. Set pieces are a key area for the side to produce opportunities, and Sigurdsson is an expert at delivering from dead ball situations.
They can’t play expansive because they will get picked apart especially by the better teams. Therefore, they need to pick their moments on the counter when the opposition is heavily committed forwards.
Sigurdsson’s precise passing will be important in making sure they punish the opposition and get some results. Games will likely be tight, so any chances he can create in the limited opportunities they are given could prove to be the difference.
Argentina’s high energy approach could see them open up due to tiredness near the end. This is when Sigurdsson will be at his most deadly. Iceland need to make use of their height advantage and aerial ability, so his crossing will be important.
This tournament is also important for Sigurdsson as an individual because his domestic season was poor. He moved for £45 million last summer, but did little to justify that price tag for Everton.
A good tournament performance could prove to new manager Marco Silva why he deserves a starting place or earn another big move.
Possible lineups
Argentina (4-2-3-1): Caballero; Salvio, Otamendi, Rojo, Tagliafico; Biglia, Mascherano; Meza, Messi, Di Maria; Aguero
Sampaoli boldly confirmed his line-up in the pre-match press conference. Messi plays centrally with three willing runners around him. Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia anchor the midfield and provide a stable base for recycling possession.
Iceland (4-4-2): Halldorsson; Saevarsson, Ingason, Sigurdsson, Magnusson; Gudmonsson, Sigurdsson, Hallfredsson, Bjarnason; Bodvarsson, Finnbogason
Having Aron Gunnarsson in midfield and Sigurdsson slightly further forward would make them tougher to break down.
However, having two strikers gives them an outlet and ensures that they don’t become isolated because they can play off each other. Both strikers are more than capable at holding the ball up, and Sigurdsson can provide them without support.
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Prediction: Argentina 2-0 Iceland
Iceland will be tough to break down, but Argentina should have enough to grind out a win. Messi should be the difference, and Aguero could bag himself a goal. This will be a hard start, but it should get Argentina prepared for the tournament.