Argentina meet Cape Verde as Messi leads title defence in last 32
Argentina face World Cup debutants Cape Verde in Miami, with Lionel Messi in form and Opta giving the holders a heavy edge.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Argentina resume their World Cup title defence against Cape Verde on Friday in a Round of 32 match that puts one of the tournament favourites against its smallest knockout-stage nation. The winner in Miami will move into the last 16, while Cape Verde have a chance to extend one of the competition’s standout debut runs.
Al Jazeera reported that the match is scheduled for 6pm local time in Miami, or 22:00 GMT, at Miami Stadium in Florida. The game is the first meeting between Argentina and Cape Verde.
How they got here
Argentina topped Group J with a perfect record, according to Al Jazeera. They beat Algeria 3-0, Austria 2-0 and Jordan 3-1, with Lionel Messi central to their attack.
Al Jazeera reported that Messi has scored six goals at this World Cup, putting him among the early Golden Boot contenders. The 39-year-old has also continued to add to his World Cup scoring records during the tournament.
Cape Verde finished second in Group H with three points, Al Jazeera reported. The island nation drew 0-0 with Spain, 2-2 with Uruguay and 0-0 with Saudi Arabia to reach the knockouts in its first World Cup appearance.
Al Jazeera said Cape Verde, with a population just above half a million, are set to become the smallest country to play in the World Cup knockout rounds. The outlet also reported that Cape Verde are one of four debutants to reach the Round of 32.
Coaches set the tone
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni pushed back against any suggestion that Cape Verde should be treated as an easy opponent, Al Jazeera reported. “They’re a good team,” Scaloni said, adding that Argentina had studied them while preparing for possible knockout opponents.
“We are not surprised, to be honest. They are a good team, and they are not here by chance. We must respect them and that’s what we will do,” Scaloni said, according to Al Jazeera.
Cape Verde coach Bubista said his players would keep faith with the approach that carried them through qualifying and the group stage. “Since we arrived, we have trusted in our own way of working and in what we have done,” he said, according to Al Jazeera.
Odds, history and what comes next
Opta’s supercomputer gives Argentina an 81 percent chance of winning in normal time and an 89.4 percent chance of reaching the last 16, Al Jazeera reported. In 25,000 pre-match simulations, Cape Verde advanced 10.6 percent of the time.
Al Jazeera reported that Argentina have won their past seven World Cup matches against African teams. Their first such match ended in a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in 1990.
Cape Verde will become the third team to face the World Cup holders in the knockout stage during a debut appearance, according to Al Jazeera. Norway lost 2-1 to Italy in 1938, and Ghana lost 3-0 to Brazil in 2006.
If Argentina advance, Al Jazeera reported that Australia or Egypt would await in the last 16. Switzerland or Colombia are listed as possible quarterfinal opponents.
Team news and broadcast details
Al Jazeera reported no injuries in Argentina’s squad. Cape Verde will be without Telmo Arcanjo because of a hamstring injury, while left back Sidny Lopes Cabral is available again after serving a one-match suspension.
Al Jazeera listed Argentina’s likely lineup as Martinez; Molina, Romero, Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Almada; Messi and Martinez. Cape Verde’s projected lineup was Vozinha; Moreira, Lopes, Borges, Cabral; Pina; Mendes, Duarte, Monteiro, Semedo; and Livramento.
Al Jazeera reported that coverage includes TyC Sports and TyC Sports Play in Argentina, SuperSport, New World TV and DStv in Cape Verde, ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player in the United Kingdom, and FOX, FOX One, Telemundo platforms and Peacock in the United States.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.