Barcelona's Croatia international Ivan Rakitić anticipates a difficult battle in their quest to qualify for the last sixteen of the 2018 World Cup after they were drawn in the same group with Argentina, Nigeria and Iceland.

The attacking midfielder reckons that they will survive the group stage if they beat Nigeria in their World Cup opener at Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad on June 16.

''We are in a difficult group, we have a big battle. I think we have everything necessary for reaching the playoffs, I will be happy to play against my friends Messi and Mascherano,'' said Rakitić to 24sata.hr.

''It is a World Cup and we have to face the best. I can't wait for the World Cup, especially against Argentina.

"Respect towards Argentina and Messi but it makes our motivation even bigger.''

Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic added : ''We need to take three points in the first game. Argentina is the most feared in the group, but Croatia is a good team and I hope we will go further''.

Igho Kingsley