Lionel Messi's Argentina is all set to put a shambolic World Cup build-up behind them and make a statement in their opening match against the tournament debutants Iceland at Moscow's Spartak stadium today.
The Latin Americans are dogged by poor form, injuries and controversy. Football pundits have already played down their chances to lift the trophy this year.
But Messi is a man on a mission, as he chases his first World Cup winner's medal, the only feather missing from his illustrious crown.
"Iceland showed they could compete with anyone at the last Euros," the five-time world player of the year said, referring to their giant-killing run at the 2016 European Championship in France.
Spurred on by their fans' thunderous "Viking clap", they earned a 1-1 draw with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, and then famously knocked out England to reach the quarter-finals.
"We stopped Ronaldo so hopefully we can do the same against Messi," said Burnley winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
"We know we're probably going to be defending for a lot of the time and obviously he's one of the best players in the world and he can turn it on."
Iceland, ranked 17 places behind Argentina at 22nd in the world, topped their group in European in the qualifying round with comfortable wins over Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey.
Argentina's reserve goalie Nahuel Guzman said his squad would do everything in its power to give Messi the success he craves for but that Iceland will be a tough opponent.
La Albiceleste's show on the road to Russia has raised many eyebrows-- there was a 4-2 loss to Nigeria in November and a 6-1 humiliation by Spain in March, although Messi did not play in either match.
Argentina's final warm-up against Israel in Jerusalem was cancelled after protests from Palestinians, miring the team in controversy and leaving players short of match practice.
To further compound their problems, goalkeeper Sergio Romero and midfielder Manuel Lanzini are ruled out of the tournament due to late injuries.
Accusing Argentina of over-reliance on Messi may seem unfair to a team boasting sharp attacking talents like Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala and Angel Di Maria but it is a view coach Jorge Sampaoli himself has expressed.
"He can carry the team on his shoulders," Sampaoli said of the player who scored 45 goals in 54 games for Barcelona this season.
Argentina is expected to play in their tried and tested 4-2-3-1 format with Sergio Aguerro and Messi Spearheading the attack.
While Iceland will line-up in their hugely successful 4-5-1 formation that took them to the quarter finals stages of Euro 2016.
On paper, the South Americans should have little trouble disposing of Iceland, an island nation of 330,000 that is the smallest country to ever reach the finals.
But the Icelanders revel in their underdog status and showed at Euro 2016 they will not be cowed on the big stage.
Argentina vs Iceland starting line-up