World Cup Team Guide: Argentina

Manager: Jorge Sampaoli

Key player: Lionel Messi - the diminutive forward has won the Ballon d'Or on five occasions, so it is fair to say that he is the man Argentina look for in an attacking sense. Often lambasted for failing to recreate his club form at international level, Messi will be looking to go one better this time out after Argentina finished runners-up in Brazil.

Qualifying:

A disappointing and patchy qualifying campaign almost saw Argentina miss out on qualification altogether, only for a Messi hat-trick in their final game against Ecuador to ensure them a place at the tournament.

Last time out:

2014 World Cup:

Argentina cruised through the Group Stage, beating Nigeria, Bosnia and Iran, before continuing their charge with narrow victories over Switzerland and Belgium and a penalty-shootout win over Holland which saw them into the final. However, despite many thinking it was finally going to be Argentina's and Messi's year, Mario Gotze's extra-time goal in the final sent Germany home as champions.

History:

The 'Albiceleste' came second at the inaugural World Cup in Uruguay in 1930 and have featured in a total of 16 tournaments, winning twice in 1978 and 1986. As well as in 2014 and 1930, Argentina also finished as runners-up 1990.

Who will they face?

celand (2pm, June 16, Moscow), Croatia (7pm, June 21, Nizhny Novgorod), Nigeria (7pm, June 26, St Petersburg).

Final squad:

Goalkeepers: Nahuel Guzman (Tigres), Willy Caballero (Chelsea), Franco Armani (River Plate).

Defenders: Cristian Ansaldi (Torino), Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Nicolas Otamendi (Man City), Federico Fazio (Roma), Marcos Rojo (Man Utd), Marcos Acuña (Sporting Lisbon), Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax).

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Hebei China Fortune), Ever Banega (Sevilla), Lucas Biglia (AC Milan), Maximiliano Meza (Independiente), Angel Di Maria (PSG), Giovani Lo Celso (PSG), Manuel Lanzini (West Ham), Eduardo Salvio (Benfica), Cristian Pavon (Boca Juniors).

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Man City), Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus), Paulo Dybala (Juventus).