FIFA World Cup 2018: Five reasons why Croatia can shine at the tournament

#1 The Draw

Croatia can fancy their chances in this group

While Group D has been touted as the most competitive in the World Cup finals, it may actually be a good deal kinder than it looks to Croatia.

Argentina, though they have Lionel Messi in their midst, struggled to qualify for the finals and even since appointing Jorge Sampaoli they have struggled to gain any measure of momentum and consistency. Croatia certainly should not fear the challenge of the South Americans.

Elsewhere, Iceland may have caused a stir at Euro 2016 by knocking England out and reaching the quarter-finals of the competition, but France showed by beating them comfortably in the last eight that they are not truly a world force.

Furthermore, recent results have been poor; if two friendlies against Indonesia are excluded, they have lost four of their last five matches, while the other was a 1-1 draw against Qatar. Iceland may have beaten them 1-0 in qualifying in Reykjavik, but they no longer appear so strong.

And finally, there is Nigeria, the lowest ranked of the African sides at the tournament. While they have a number of dangerous players, on paper they do not have the strength of the Croats.

Win their pool and suddenly the pathway to the quarter-finals looks clear, but if they do not, France is liable to stand in their way.

The clash against Argentina could be all important, but they are certainly equipped to succeed in it.

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