Liverpool central defender Dejan Lovren is confident that the Croatian national team will advance to the last sixteen of the 2018 World Cup despite the presence of Argentina and Nigeria in their group.

Lovren argued that the Croatian squad is littered with top stars representing big European clubs, the likes of Ivan Perišić (Inter Milan), Ivan Rakitić (Barcelona), Luka Modrić (Real Madrid), Mandžukić (Juventus) and Nikola Kalinić (AC Milan), more than their group rivals.

''They (Nigeria) are certainly a good team, physically powerful. However, we have huge quality, only we have to show it in Russia on the ground,'' Dejan Lovren told Sportske Novosti.

''If we are real, at the best, we should not be afraid of any of the rivals in the World Cup.

'' I have reason to be optimistic. This Croatian team is currently in full swing, I would say, in its zenith. Most have tremendous experience and performances at great competitions, major European club games, many are leaders and the best players of their clubs.

''We all know what's waiting for us in Russia, we know how to play and how to get results that everyone will be proud of.''

The Super Eagles will trade tackles with Croatia for the first time ever at the Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad on June 16, 2018.

Igho Kingsley