There will also be a huge burden of expectation placed on the shoulders of their captain and star Lionel Messi, not only because he almost single-handedly got them to Russia in the first place, but also because it was he who had his penalty saved by Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorson, which would otherwise have won the match for his side.
The team have been labelled a “disgrace” by Argentine legend Diego Maradona, who has warned the coach Jorge Sampaoli that he cannot return home with his team playing like that.
On the day Argentina consistently failed to break down a well-organised defence and showed alarming frailty at the back, as evidenced by Alfred Finnbogason’s equaliser on the day.
The problem is that the Croats are equally well-organised, but have more to offer in all areas of the pitch than the Icelanders. In particular, they have one of the strongest midfielders in the competition, with [Luka Modric]] and Mateo Kovacic of Real Madrid lining-up alongside Ivan Rakitic of Barcelona.
They comfortably beat Nigeria 2–0 in their opening game, thanks to an own goal and Modric, who showed Messi how it was done by successfully converting a spot kick of his own.
And, if the Croatian forward line-up of Ante Rebíc of Eintracht Frankfurt and Mario Mandzukic of Juventus can find their shooting boots against the creaking Argentine defence, Maradona and fellow supporters of the national team could be in for a torrid evening.
At 30 years of age, Messi is probably playing in his last World Cup. Fans of this great player will be hoping that his international swansong is brought to a premature end at the hands of the Croats.