A Possibly Accurate, Not Fact-Checked Guide to the World Cup: Group D

Every prediction contained in this preview is care of yours truly, somebody with an obsessive OCD-approach to World Cup qualifying who only watched non-US matches as five-minute highlights on double speed, muted, while listening to podcasts. They're probably still pretty good though, because I'm super smart and stuff.

Where are they from?: Argentina (Pot 1); Croatia (Pot 2); Iceland (Pot 3); Nigeria (Pot 4)

What to watch for?: Nigeria's beautiful kits. They are incredibly garish, incredibly 90's and incredibly lovely.

On a footballing level, watch for what should be one of the more competitive groups in the entire tournament, with every team fancying themselves to have at least a somewhat reasonable shot of progressing. The biggest power in the group, Argentina, are not their presumed all-conquering selves (GOAT excluded) and each of the three following sides can give each other a rough go of it on their day.

Who to keep an eye on?: It would be all too easy to say Lionel Messi here. It would also be disingenuous not to, so easy street is where I'm headed. If you can't watch something like this and marvel, you aren't just not a football fan, or not a sports fan, you don't like happiness. Fact.

Messi is a gift to sports fans and should be cherished and enjoyed for as long as possible, because no matter how much of his magic you watch while he's here, when it's gone you'll wish it had been more. Argentina have lost in the finals of the last two Copa Americas and the last World Cup, continuing to yank the major international trophy Messi has long sought away at the last second. It would be an accomplishment to even get that close in 2018, but if anyone can make it happen for this Argentina side, it's the best footballer who has ever been.

Why do you hate those guys? (Croatia): Hate is much too strong a word, and should they make it to the knockouts they will become a fun underdog story for a lot of neutrals, but at least in the groups they're the least entertaining team to see move on. Three matches is not enough Messi, while Nigeria is always fun to watch and African nations are natural teams to root for. Iceland, meanwhile, are the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup, and have become a quietly capable side in European play despite their minuscule size, and that's before factoring in their fantastic Viking Clap celebration at the end of matches.

100% Accurate Match Predictions

Argentina vs. Iceland: Continuing their run of punching above their name recognition, the resolute Iceland side counter hard on Argentina to take the lead and carry it into the final minutes of the game. That's where they suffer a fate that many have felt before and will feel again, a Messi gut-punch, as he spares the Argentinians their blushes and earns a 1-1 draw with a moment of individual brilliance. 

Croatia vs. Nigeria: In a fun match with opportunities going in both directions, it's the Croatians who draw first blood. They cannot hold the lead, however, and Nigeria equalize late in the first half. Both sides miss out on chances to pull ahead before Nigeria finally nets a winner to take it 2-1.

Argentina vs. Croatia: In desperate need of something as the only point-less side in the group, Croatia come out like a side on a mission and score early again, only to once more concede before the break. It looks set to be de ja vu all over again when they fall behind, but the Fightin' Checkereds keep on plugging and draw level for a 2-2 final score.

Nigeria vs. Iceland: Facing a shock opportunity to secure their passage after just two matches, Nigeria struggle under the pressure, and play tight football. Great scoring opportunities are spurned, and silly mistakes in the midfield create opportunities for the Europeans, who make them pay on two occasions for a comfortable 2-0 victory.

Nigeria vs. Argentina | Iceland vs. Croatia: The first group to enter the final matches with the wide-open 4-3-2-1 points standings, every side is alive and none are safe. With their backs truly against the wall, Argentina do like they did in qualifying and turn it on when it counts to carry a two-goal lead into the break, while the draw-and-advance Iceland side carry a comfortable cushion, ahead 1-0. Argentina pad their lead in the second to win 3-0, while Croatia makes Iceland sweat by leveling at 1-1 but can't find the two more they need to overtake their opponents on goal difference and book a spot in the knockout rounds.

Check back every day for more of the world's most-accurate World Cup preview. For yesterday's post on Group C, click here. Carry on to Group E here.