'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Group B is slightly unbalanced, favouring the European giants Spain and Portugal as they have been drawn with Iran and Morocco. The mouth-watering group game between the Iberian rivals Spain and Portugal perhaps one of the most anticipated games of the group stages.
Portugal had major success at Euro 2016, beating France in the final to lift the trophy, but were knocked out at the group stage in the previous World Cup. The Seleção will be hoping to fare better in Russia than they did in Brazil 4 years ago. They will also find the familiar face of Carlos Queiroz helming a pragmatic and defensively resolute Iran side.
Queiroz will find it difficult to navigate a group containing Spain and reigning European Champions Portugal but will be looking forward to the game against Morocco to pick up some points. Morocco will need nothing short of a miracle to help them progress from this group.
Trending
Match to Watch: Portugal v Spain (15th June, 7 PM GMT).
#1 Portugal - Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo has already achieved one major honour with Portugal. They are the reigning European Champions as they defeated France in the final two years ago to win Euro 2016. The Portuguese forward will be searching for more records to break in Russia. Although he does not run the channels as often as he used to, he can rely on Bernardo Silva and the like, to create chances for him which he invariably will finish.
Ronaldo will be pivotal for Portugal in Russia, as his experience and capacity to lead from the front will make him Portugal's best chance of creating goal-scoring opportunities. Equipped with a very strong right foot and an equally powerful left foot, Ronaldo will be a threat from every angle.
While the whole world expects and backs Messi and his Argentina to have a good showing in Russia, expect Santos and his pragmatic Portugal, led by Ronaldo, to stun the world again in Russia as they did in France in 2016.
Notable Mention: André Silva
#2 Spain - Isco
Iniesta has already announced that this will be his last World Cup for Spain, but the Spaniards don't have to worry too much about missing their midfield maestro. Iniesta can hand over the baton to Isco and the young attacking midfielder will fit right into the Spanish midfield.
Isco, blessed with effortless dribbling ability and the vision to always find the perfect pass, has been touted to become the most important player for Spain by his own peers. Although one can argue that Spain is blessed with many players like Isco, none of them can boast the explosive turn of pace that Isco can. His ankle-breaking dribbling ability combined with his eye for goal will make him Spain's most creative outlet in the middle of the Park.
Russia will provide the perfect setting for Isco to really come into his own and begin establishing a legacy for himself with the La Roja.
Notable Mention: David de Gea
#3 Morocco - Hakim Ziyech
Herve Renard has managed to create an astutely defensive Moroccan side and has helped them qualify to the World Cup for the first time in 20 years. In Russia, Renard will heavily rely on the defensive pairing of Medhi Benatia and Romain Saïss to keep teams like Spain and Portugal from scoring. But to progress beyond the group, they would need creative attacking talents to fetch the goals or create goal scoring chances. Enter Hakim Ziyech.
Ziyech was recently named the Ajax player of the year, for his performances and skills. Even though Ziyech is not necessarily the fastest player, he is blessed with balance and a wonderful first touch which allows him to easily slide past defenders. His passing range and dead ball skills are commendable as well.
Renard will be hoping that Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal can combine and provide efficiency in attack and fetch much-needed goals against stronger oppositions in Russia.
Notable Mention: Medhi Benatia
#4 Iran - Sardar Azmoun
Iran were the third nation to qualify for Russia, only behind Russia (host) and Brazil. This is the fifth time Iran has qualified for the World Cup, but they have never managed to go beyond the group stages in their four previous attempts. Carlos Queiroz usually sets up a defensively resolute side, but will also have quality in the final third in Sardar Azmoun.
The Rubin Kazan forward is used to playing in the frigid Russian conditions and will be expected to help Iran out with much-needed goals. Azmoun with his balance and control can dribble at defenders with pace, causing all sorts of problems in the defensive line. He has a strong shot and a penchant for finding the back of the net. His form has even attracted the likes of Liverpool who are looking on to see if he is worth the billing.
Along with Karim Ansarifard, Reza Ghoochannejhad and Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Azmoun will provide Iran with much needed European experience as they try to manoeuvre a tricky group containing the likes of Portugal and Spain.
Notable Mention: Alireza Jahanbakhsh
