Your daily World Cup tip sheet for who's playing when, and what to watch for. We'll deliver a new briefing the evening before every game day, highlighting the can't-miss match and which players to watch.
Match of the day: Argentina vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
The clear class of Group F, Argentina enters the tournament with a wealth of attacking options. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is the headliner, but Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain are also on the team, giving La Albiceleste as good a strike force as any side in Brazil. Look for midfielders Angel di Maria (Real Madrid) and Javier Mascherano (Barcelona) to dictate the pace of the game and deliver quality passes to the talented trio. The Bosnians’ qualification for Brazil marks the country’s first-ever appearance in a World Cup. Nicknamed The Dragons, the team isn’t shy to press the attack, scoring 30 goals in 10 qualifying matches. Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko is the most recognizable name in the side, but Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic’s creativity might be the key to this team overachieving.
Player to watch: Argentina’s Lionel Messi
Considered to be the best soccer player on the planet by most experts, the diminutive forward has just one goal in eight career World Cup matches. At 26, he is in his prime and surrounded by talented players. He racked up 10 goals in Argentina’s 14 qualifying matches. This tournament should be his.
Your World Cup
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Graphic by Trish McAlaster