FIFA World Cup 2018 Group D
The appearance of Iceland in their first ever World Cup finals proved that their success in Euro 2016 was no fluke. With a population of just over 334,000, they are the smallest nation ever to have participated in the tournament. Nigeria's spectacular new first shirt proved to be the hottest seller of the competition with supplies selling out within minutes of its release.
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Argentina
Iceland
Argentina 1 Iceland 1
Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow
16 June
After Ronaldo's fine performance against Spain all eyes were on Lionel Messi. Far from matching his arch-rival, however, Messi proved to be the villain of the piece when he fluffed a spot-kick in the second half with the scores level. Once again, Iceland were punching above their weight and thoroughly deserved the result.
Croatia
Nigeria
Croatia 2 Nigeria 0
Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad
16 June
A poor match was settled by an own goal (Etebo 32') and a penalty (Modric 71'). Supporters were disappointed that Nigeria did not wear their spectacular new light green, black and white
top but FIFA rules ensured it would make at least one appearance in group stages.
(Jouko Saarinen)
Argentina
Croatia
Argentina 0 Croatia 3
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod
21 June
There were plenty of tears on and off the pitch after Argentina stumbled to a humiliating defeat. Things started to go wrong when goalkeeper Caballero tried to chip a backpass over the head of Ante Rebic only for the ball to drop kindly for the striker who promptly volleyed home. Argentina's over-reliance on Lionel Messi made them predictable while the superstar player continued his indifferent form. In the second half Argentina lost all coherence and deserved to lose.
(André Conceição e Silva)
Nigeria
Iceland
Nigeria 2 Iceland 0
Volgograd Arena, Volgograd
22 June
Two goals from Ahmed Musa, one in each half, helped Nigeria sweep Iceland aside. Iceland's hopes were given a brief boost when they were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review but Gylfi Sigurðsson fired it over the bar. The result gave Argentina some hope provided they beat Nigeria in the final group game and Iceland fail to win against Croatia.
(Jouko Saarinen)
Nigeria
Argentina
Nigeria 1 Argentina 2
Krestovsky Stadium, St Petersburg
26 June
A late volley by central defender Rojo sent Argentina into the knock out phase after an exciting and incident filled game. Messi, finally playing to his potential gave Argentina the lead in the 14th minute. Moses equalised from a penalty early in the second half. From then on the West African side dominated and Argentina looked ragged. With four minutes left an Argentine attack broke down and as Nigeria moved up the field, Marcos Rojo lingered in the Nigerian penalty area and was there to hammer home when his team mates won the ball back and swept back into the attack.
(Jouko Saarinen)
Iceland
Croatia
Iceland 1 Croatia 2
Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don
26 June
Iceland failed to reach the knock out stages in their first World Cup finals but they gave it everything they had. Only a win would do and with the score goal-less at half-time they seemed to have an outside chance. When Badelj put Croatia ahead early in the second half Iceland had to chase the game and after Ingason hit the bar, Sigurðsson equalised from a penalty with 15 minutes left. With Argentina leading Nigeria in the dying minutes of the match one more goal would have seen Iceland move into second place but it was Croatia who scored through Perisic in injury time.
(Jouko Saarinen)
