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Debutants Iceland will begin their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign against 2 time champions Argentina on Saturday. With a population of just over 350,000, Iceland became the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup finals and after an impressive performance at the 2016 UEFA Euro they will look to continue their good run of form at football's mega event this summer.
World Cup 2018 | Argentina vs Iceland | Live Commentary
Argentina will be entering this tournament after 3 consecutive final losses and will be determined to win a 3rd World Cup title for their country. They are drawn in Group D with Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria which is being considered as one of the toughest groups at this World Cup.
La Albiceleste have one of the most prolific attacking squad in this World Cup with star players such as Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero leading the attacking front.
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We now take a look at 5 key players who will play a vital role in Saturday's David and Goliath encounter.
#5 Aron Gunnarsson (Iceland)
The Iceland skipper who can play either as a defensive midfielder or a central midfielder will play a pivotal role in Iceland's opening fixture against Argentina. He has made 77 senior appearances for the national team and was made permanent captain in August 2012.
Under his captaincy, Iceland achieved new heights as they made it to the play-off round of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification where they lost 2-0 on aggregate to Croatia. However 2 years later he led his country to UEFA Euro 2016 where they reached the quarterfinals.
His ability to control the midfield and make long throw-ins into the opposition box have troubled the defenders in the past. Former England manager Roy Hodgson before his team's round of 16 clash against Iceland at Euro 2016 said, "You'd have to be a bit blind not to realize that Gunnarsson is a weapon for them."
At this World Cup Gunnarsson will once again look to inspire his team to similar success and ensure his tiny nation makes a mark at football's greatest stage.
#4 Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina)
Gonzalo Higuain has been a prolific striker for his club Juventus in the past two seasons as he found the net 55 times in 105 appearances. His international career hasn't been as illustrious as he has been criticized for losses against Germany and Chile at the 2014 FIFA World Cup final and 2015 Copa America final respectively.
However, his clinical ability in front of the goal can't be ignored as he has scored 31 goals in his 70 appearances for La Albiceleste.
His attacking partner Paulo Dybala at Juventus is expected to link up well with him along with Argentine talisman Leo Messi once Sampaoli figures out a formation that allows the latter to play with Dybala. Higuain's aerial abilities and link-up play with teammates make his presence in the opposition box even more dangerous.
Having failed to score for the national team since October 2016, he will be determined to make a mark at this World Cup.
#3 Gylfi Sigurdsson (Iceland)
Sigurdsson plays as an attacking midfielder for Iceland and Premier League side, Everton. He has made 57 appearances for his national side scoring 19 goals. He played at the Euro 2016 which was his side's first appearance at a major tournament.
The 28-year-old showcased his clinical ability to find the net at the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign as he scored 6 goals for his side and became the top goalscorer for his side in the qualifiers. He once again stepped up for his side at the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign as he scored 4 goals in 10 matches and ensured direct qualification of his country into the World Cup.
Playing in the midfield Sigurdsson initiates attacks and creates goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates. His link-up play with striker Alfreð Finnbogason will test the opposition defenders.
At this World Cup, Sigurdsson will try to continue his good run of form and ensure a historical maiden World Cup campaign for his country.
#2 Paulo Dybala (Argentina)
The 24-year-old Juventus forward has been a key player for his club as he scored 68 goals in 140 appearances in the span of 3 seasons. His international career hasn't been off to a flying start as in the 12 appearances for the national team he is yet to score a goal.
His lacklustre performances with the national side are a result of manager Jorge Sampaoli's inability to start both Dybala and Messi together which has further resulted in Dybala getting very little playing time.
Despite such a slow start to his international career he is expected to be a crucial player for Argentina at the World Cup as his creative style of play can trouble the opposition defenders. His ability to dribble past defenders, creating spaces and holding the ball for teammates enables the team to create goal scoring opportunities.
It would be interesting to see whether Sampaoli uses Dybala on Saturday in their opening World Cup game against Iceland or keeps him on the bench for which he has been criticized in the past.
#1 Lionel Messi (Argentina)
It doesn't come as a surprise that the most vital player in Saturday's clash between Argentina and Iceland will be Barcelona star, Lionel Messi. If it wasn't for his heroics against Ecuador in the final qualifying game, Argentina would've sat this World Cup out for the first time since 1970.
Often considered as the Greatest player of all time, he hasn't had any luck while playing with the national team as he went on to lose 3 consecutive finals with them. However, this time he would be looking to go one step further and cement his legacy by winning the World Cup.
His ability to decide the outcome of a game single-handedly is keeping the Argentine hopes of winning their 3rd World Cup title alive. On Saturday the scenario won't be any different as Messi will keep on worrying Icelandic defenders throughout 90 minutes with his dribbling and clinical ability to create spaces in the opposition half.
Iceland will have to come up with a special plan to stop the little magician if they want to start their World Cup campaign with a positive result.
