Croatia recorded a fantabulous 2-0 win over Nigeria in the second match of Group D of 2018 FIFA World Cup. With this victory, Luka Modrić-led side are surprisingly on top of the points table. Surprising, because this group has the presence of heavyweights Argentina who shockingly are second after settling for a 1-1 draw against Iceland. Their talismanic captain Lionel Messi failed to convert a penalty, which cost them a win. That's the status of 2018 FIFA World Cup Group D points table and team standings. Lionel Messi Misses Penalty Against Iceland Video: Watch How Argentina Captain Failed To Score at 2018 FIFA World Cup Match!

Argentina is one of the most keenly followed footballing nations on the planet and a lot of credit for it goes to arguably the greatest football player ever seen, Lionel Messi. After quitting the national team due to its failure to win a major championship, the blue-eyed boy of Argentinian football is back with one more shot at grabbing silverware with the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His country is pitted along with Croatia, Nigeria and Iceland with probably Croatia posing the only real threat in the group stage matches. Messi and Argentina would be keen to finish Group D of 2018 FIFA World Cup points table and team standings on top and make to Round of 16. 2018 FIFA World Cup Group D Preview: Schedule Timetable With Match Dates, Venues & Kick-Off Times in IST of Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, and Nigeria in Football WC.

Iceland was one of the surprise packages of Euro 2016, and their qualification in style for the 2018 Football World Cup took everyone by surprise. But they face their toughest task yet when they come up against some of the most technically sound footballers playing at the highest level. Nigeria has some real young stars in Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho, who have experience in the physically demanding English Premier League. The Super Eagles defeated the Argentinians in a friendly back in November which is an indication of how on their day even the best teams can be picked upon. 2018 FIFA World Cup Schedule in IST for PDF Download: Fixtures, Groups, Time Table with Matches in Indian Time & Venue Details of Football WC in Russia.

Croatia has the ambition of its own to perform well in the big tournament, but their recent showing in the friendlies does not do justice to the kind of squad they have. Any team having Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic as its central midfielders should be outclassing opponents at a higher frequency than what Croatia is able to do. Their problem has more to do with the mind strength than the footballing abilities, and it is something they have to get out of their system if they are to climb up the points table.

2018 FIFA World Cup Group D Points Table

Points Table Updated Till Today's Match.

The shining light of the group is the South American nation Argentina who was runners-up in Brazil, and for large parts of that final versus Germany, they were the side on top. But this has been a patter for Argentina in the last few years or so, they just cannot seem to cross the final hurdle. They have an excellent coach in Jorge Sampaoli who is a proven tactician and guided Chile to a Copa America title. But, if they are to win the Cup, they need the misfiring stars like Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero to replicate their club form for the national team.

This Group will be all about Argentina, and all eyes will be on their how they step aside from their opponents. Their clash with Croatia will almost inevitably determine the top two positions in this group. For Iceland and Nigeria, their young crop of players will benefit a lot playing in a tournament such as a World Cup, and it’s a case of better things to come in the future than the present for these two countries.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 16, 2018 04:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).