THEY FINISHED 22nd: ICELAND

In Euro 2016 they were an unknown quantity with a thunderous chant that cast a spell across a tournament and sealed a famous win over England. Two years later, the mystique had gone, though that chant remained (and was adopted by a couple of other nations to less effect). It didn’t really happen for Iceland, but what the hell, they made their first World Cup and were never disgraced at any stage and were perhaps unlucky to be drawn in what was one of the toughest groups.

World Cup Group D Final Games: Argentina 2-1 Nigeria; Croatia 2-1 Iceland

Oh, Rojo. How you saved a nation. How you got Maradona to show two fingers to the rest of the world. How you saved Messi’s international career for at least a few more days. How well you finished, but how much you denied a Nigeria team who surely deserved a place in the Round of 16. They were just minutes away, but everyone else in the group were a lot of points of away from Croatia who maxed out on point age and served to remind the world that their quality players make a quality team that’s to be feared in the knock-out phase.

World Cup 2018: Nigeria 2-0 Iceland

The Armchair is finding it difficult to keep pace with all the games in this World Cup. Especially as he is on vacation. If you've ever seen an Armchair on vacation, you'll know why.

Three a day! And this match up of generally hot v cold nations fell in the favour of Nigeria who deservedly won with two great goals.

The Armchair Predicted 

Nigeria 0-0 Iceland

16 and 9

World Cup 2018: Argentina 1-1 Iceland

England fans must feel a bit better about their Euro2016 exit after this.

Iceland are no pushover, clearly. Clear as ice, in fact.

But Messi continues to misfire in the big tournaments. He will never be regarded as a true international legend unless he can turn things round in the next couple of games.

That missed penalty of his has condemned The Armchair to face his first inaccurate prediction of this World Cup, at the sixth attempt.

There was almost a siege on the Icelandic goal toward the end, but their huge keeper and even mightier spirit kept the South Americans at bay to secure a well-earned, first ever World Cup point.

And a big, loud, welcome to the World Cup to the Viking Thunderclap. So much more interesting than the ageing Mexican Wave (32 years old this World Cup.)

So, The Armchair has been proved wrong, but having predicted Croatia to win the group, there's still room for a little smugness.

The Armchair Predicted:
Argentina 2-1 Iceland

5 and 1

Who Will Qualify From World Cup Group D?

The World Cup 2018 Group D teams

ARGENTINA

CROATIA

ICELAND

NIGERIA

Keep. Your. Money. In. Your Pocket. That’s my advice when it comes to this group. What a tough one to call. 

You would think Argentina would win it, but Messi never seems to have a great World Cup. Player for player, they edge their group mates and it would be a shocker for them to go out in the group stage. But, remember, they didn’t qualify for the 2018World Cup with any ease.

And as for the rest, any one of those could qualify.

Iceland will make friends all over Russia, not least for the passion of their fans. To call them underdogs does them an injustice. They were Euro 2016 quarter finalists, beating England along the way. No great feat, admittedly.

Croatia has quality players with international pedigree and I always tip them to do well in tournaments (I even predicted they would reach the Euro 2016 Final which did not happen).

And Nigeria are always a good team to watch, perhaps lacking the big name attacking players they used to have.

So how to call this. Look to the support. Geographically, Croatia are the nearest, Argentina the furthest. I’m going to go against the grain with my predictions on this one and hope the Croats justify me backing of them to win Group D! 

This one will be close though, with one, maybe two points separating the four teams.

MY World Cup 2018 GROUP D Predictions

1: CROATIA

2: ARGENTINA

3: Iceland

4: Nigeria