Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has called for calm from the holders as they bid to avoid one of the greatest upsets of all time against unbeaten tournament debutants Cape Verde in the World Cup 2026 last 32. Scalonis side advanced in serene fashion with nine points and the help of six goals from joint-top tournament scorer Lionel Messi, avoiding a surprise of the sort they suffered when Saudi Arabia beat them on matchday one in 2022.Teams usually change how they play against us, said Scaloni, whose players face opponents standing 62 places below them in FIFAs rankings.They defend and attack differently. When things get tough, were ready to dig in. Thats what matters most.Cape Verde produced an immediate shock at the finals, drawing 0-0 with 2010 world champions and reigning European titlists Spain on matchday one.The Blue Sharks proved that was no fluke with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay and a goalless stalemate against Saudi Arabia, ensuring they finished ahead of both of those nations.Well try to do the impossible because weve already come this far by doing the impossible, said Diney, a centre-back for UAE Pro League club Al-Bataeh, speaking to FIFA.We came here to compete with the best. Qualifying isnt enough; we want to go further. We have to be heroes.Well take to the pitch knowing the world will be watching. The main challenge is stopping Lionel Messi.The winners of the tie will face Australia or Egypt, whose tie kicks off four hours earlier, in the last 16 in Atlanta on Tuesday (17:00 BST).Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026: Argentina v Cape Verde team newsArgentina v Cape Verde: World Cup 2026 predicted line-upsWhere to watch Argentina v Cape Verde: TV channel, live online streamsWorld Cup 2026: Argentina v Cape Verde statsWorld Cup 2026: Argentina v Cape Verde predictionResponsible GamblingWorld Cup 2026: Argentina v Cape Verde team newsMidfielder Telmo Arcanjo is an injury doubt for Cape Verde, who could restore left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral following suspension.Assistant coach Humberto Bettencourt said Messi will not be man-marked. We consider Messi to be a player who makes a difference, he acknowledged, via Reuters.But we always look at the collective the combinations that can be created, the spaces they may try to open up for Messi.Argentina will make numerous changes after initially resting the likes of Messi and Alexis Mac Allister in their 3-1 win over Jordan on matchday three, as well as keeping first-choice players including Lisandro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez on the bench.Cristian Romero has returned to full training following a knee issue but right-back Gonzalo Montiel is out with a hamstring injury.Lautaro Martinez will keep his place ahead of Julian Alvarez and Facundo Medina could start at left-back at Nicolas Tagliaficos expense, according to Ole.Argentina v Cape Verde: World Cup 2026 predicted line-upsArgentina starting XI: Emiliano Martinez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Medina, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez; Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Thiago AlmadaCape Verde starting XI: Vozinha, Steven Moreira, Pico Lopes, Diney Borges, Sidny Cabral, Ryan Mendes, Telmo Arcanjo, Kevin Pina, Jamiro Monteiro, Garry Rodrigues, Gilson BenchimolWhere to watch Argentina v Cape Verde: TV channel, live online streamsKick-off on Friday is at 23:00 BST (18:00 ET / 15:00 PT). In the UK, live TV coverage is on ITV1.Streaming is via ITVs website and ITVX app, which is available on a vast variety of devices for viewing on the go.World Cup 2026: Argentina v Cape Verde statsLionel Messi has scored in each of his last seven World Cup appearances for Argentina, setting a new tournament recordThe eight-time Ballon dOr winner has 11 goals in total across that run (5 in the last 4 matches in Qatar 2022, 6 in three in 2026)Against Jordan on matchday three, Argentina became the second team to start two players aged at least 38 in a single World Cup edition, with Messi and Nicolas Otamendi following Brazils Thiago Silva and Dani Alves in 2022Nicolas Otamendis 17 World Cup appearances make the River Plate player Argentinas most-capped defender in the competition history, ahead of Oscar Ruggeri (16)Since the start of Qatar 2022, Argentina have been awarded seven penalties in 10 World Cup matchesOnly Spain, Mexico and Brazil bettered Cape Verdes record of two goals conceded during the group stage, with only La Roja and El Tri Spain keeping more clean sheets than the two they collectedCape Verde had 25.7% possession against Spain and were outshot 27 to six and 34.8% against Uruguay, with an attempts count of 12-17Against Saudi Arabia, however, they then had 51% of play, 15 attempts to their opponents seven and finished on an expected goals total of 1.39 xG to the Green Falcons 0.39They are the first debutants to go unbeaten in the group stage at the World Cup since Senegal in 2002Vozinha is the third goalkeeper in World Cup history to keep more than one clean sheet after turning 40, following Peter Shilton (three) and Dino Zoff (two)World Cup 2026: Argentina v Cape Verde predictionArgentina 1-0 Cape VerdeArgentina initially struggled and required Messis brilliance to navigate their first knockout-stage match in 2022, beating Australia 2-1. On Cape Verdes form, the margin of victory may prove surprisingly tight again.Responsible GamblingGambling should always be approached as entertainment, not as a way to generate income. If you ever feel that gambling is becoming a problem, there are several organisations you can contact for free, confidential support.National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 8 am to midnight, 7 days a week)GamCare: www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware: gambleaware.orgGamStop: www.gamstop.co.uk (free self-exclusion service)Tools available through bet365 include deposit limits, session time reminders, loss limits, self-exclusion and Reality Checks. These can be accessed via the Safer Gambling section of your account at any time. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Alexis Mac Allister Argentina National Football Team Cape Verde national football team Cristian Romero Emiliano Martinez Enzo Fernandez FIFA World Cup Julian Alvarez Lionel Messi Lionel Scaloni Lisandro Martinez Rodrigo de Paul World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Spain boss loves Yamal bravado: You take things out of context he is a boy Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026 World Cup boss dodges Cristiano Ronaldo question before Portugal vs Croatia: They are above public opinion Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026 USA boss Pochettino backs sad Balogun over World Cup 2026 red card: Never intentional Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026 World Cup 2026: Full fixtures, dates, games, schedule and results from FIFA football finals Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026: Full England fixtures, results, schedule, confirmed squad, next match, kick off times Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026 World Cup 2026: Where to watch England and games on TV, full BBC and ITV knockout stage listings, confirmed channels, schedule, live online streams, kick off times Ben Miller 2nd July, 2026
