Argentina Eye Last-16 Spot

Sports Reporter

Published: 06:51 PM, 3 July 2026

Argentina and Cape Verde will meet for the first time in history, with their maiden encounter deciding a place in the Round of 16.
The match will mark Lionel Scaloni's 100th game in charge of Argentina.
Since taking over as head coach, Scaloni has built one of the most successful teams in Argentina's history, guiding the Albiceleste to the 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, ending the nation's 36-year wait for the trophy.
Argentina have played 99 matches under Scaloni, winning 72, drawing 18 and losing just nine. They also enjoyed a 36-match unbeaten run between July 2019 and November 2022.
Argentina's last defeat in the knockout stage of any tournament came seven years ago, when they lost to Brazil in the 2019 Copa America semi-finals in Belo Horizonte.
The reigning world champions are currently on a 10-match winning streak in all competitions, including knockout matches, making Cape Verde's task even more difficult.
Lionel Messi has taken his game to another level under Scaloni. The 39-year-old has scored 58 goals in 74 appearances under the current coach, averaging 0.78 goals per game. Before Scaloni's appointment, Messi scored 65 goals in 128 international matches, averaging 0.51 goals per game.
Messi currently shares the lead in the World Cup Golden Boot race with France captain Kylian Mbappe, with six goals. Notably, the Argentine skipper has reached that tally despite playing one match fewer than Mbappe.
Cape Verde have been one of the tournament's surprise packages in their World Cup debut. They reached the knockout stage after holding former world champions Spain and Uruguay, as well as Saudi Arabia, to draws.
Among the 32 teams that reached the knockout stage, Cape Verde have scored the fewest goals. Their only two group-stage goals came in their draw against Uruguay.
MMR