No previous meetings between these teams.
-
1
Lionel Messi6 - 2
Hélio Varela1 - 3Kevin Pina1
- 4Lautaro Martínez1
- 5Giovani Lo Celso1
- 1Lionel Messi15
- 2Kevin Pina4
- 3Ryan Mendes4
- 4Jamiro Monteiro4
- 5Lautaro Martínez4
- 6Laros Duarte3
- 7Diney Borges2
- 8Enzo Fernández2
- 9Thiago Almada2
- 10Willy Semedo2
- 1Diney Borges5
- 2Kevin Pina5
- 3Deroy Duarte5
- 4Alexis Mac Allister5
- 5Pico Lopes5
- 6Enzo Fernández4
- 7Thiago Almada4
- 8Lionel Messi4
- 9Jamiro Monteiro3
- 10Steven Moreira3
- 1Rodrigo De Paul1
- 2Facundo Medina1
- 3Nico González1
- 1Lionel Messi6
- 2Laros Duarte5
- 3Enzo Fernández2
- 4Kevin Pina2
- 5Ryan Mendes2
- 6Deroy Duarte2
- 7Jamiro Monteiro2
- 8Telmo Arcanjo2
- 9Wagner Pina2
- 10Giovani Lo Celso2
- 1Alexis Mac Allister165
- 2Leandro Paredes161
- 3Lisandro Martínez133
- 4Nicolás Otamendi130
- 5Enzo Fernández126
- 6Diney Borges113
- 7Cristian Romero111
- 8Pico Lopes105
- 9Thiago Almada96
- 10Rodrigo De Paul91
- 1Ryan Mendes4
- 2Kevin Pina3
- 3Nuno da Costa3
- 4Lionel Messi3
- 5Hélio Varela2
- 6Willy Semedo2
- 7Nico Paz2
- 8Sidny Cabral2
- 9Laros Duarte2
- 10Nahuel Molina2
- 1João Paulo6
- 2Exequiel Palacios5
- 3Pico Lopes5
- 4Deroy Duarte4
- 5Jamiro Monteiro4
- 6Alexis Mac Allister4
- 7Nicolás Otamendi4
- 8Diney Borges3
- 9Enzo Fernández3
- 10Kevin Pina3
Argentina take on Cape Verde in a round of 32 clash on Friday evening. Kick-off is set for 11:00pm (UK time) in Miami, with all eyes on Lionel Messi to see if he can continue his remarkable scoring record at the World Cup.
Argentina enter the knockout rounds after winning all three of their group matches. Cape Verde also arrive full of confidence after building their campaign on a disciplined defence that produced two clean sheets in three games.
Argentina vs Cape Verde predictions
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messi to score 2+ goals | 13/5 @ William Hill (27.8%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | The superstars of football have come to the party at the 2026 World Cup and a fascinating Golden Boot race is unfolding. Harry Kane and Erling Haaland have five to their name, while Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi have six. The latter has the chance to pull away on Friday and a game with Cape Verde presents the perfect chance to do so. Messi has been sensational so far at the tournament with a hat-trick against Algeria, a brace against Austria and a goal off the bench against Jordan. Back him to score 2+ against Cape Verde at 13/5. |
| Argentina to Win & Under 3.5 goals | 10/11 @ Betfred (52.4%) | ⭐⭐ | Argentina have carried their impressive group-stage form into the knockout rounds and will expect to take another step towards defending their World Cup crown. Lionel Scaloni’s side have combined defensive solidity with clinical finishing, making them one of the standout teams in the tournament so far. Cape Verde have exceeded expectations with their run to the last 16 and deserve enormous credit for their disciplined displays. However, this represents their toughest assignment yet, and Argentina’s greater quality at both ends of the pitch should prove decisive over 90 minutes. |
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams go into Argentina vs Cape Verde
Argentina arrive in the knockout rounds with plenty of momentum after winning all three group matches. Lionel Scaloni’s side have looked every inch one of the tournament favourites, while Lionel Messi has continued to lead from the front with six goals, leaving him firmly in the race for the Golden Boot.
The defending champions have also built an outstanding record in knockout football. They have not lost a knockout match at a major tournament since the 2019 Copa America semi-finals, going on to win two Copa America titles and lift the World Cup in Qatar. Argentina now head into the last 16 looking to extend that remarkable run.
Cape Verde have already made history by reaching the knockout rounds on their World Cup debut. Bubista’s side qualified through disciplined performances, frustrating more fancied opponents and proving they can compete against teams with far greater experience at this level.
Their defensive organisation has become the foundation of that success, with two clean sheets and only four goals conceded in the group stage. Cape Verde will likely adopt the same compact approach against Argentina, but they now face their toughest challenge yet against the reigning world champions.
Argentina team news
Lionel Scaloni is expected to restore the majority of the players he rested against Jordan after rotating heavily with top spot already secured. Cristian Romero has also returned to full training and should slot straight back into central defence alongside Lisandro Martinez. Emiliano Martinez will reclaim his place in goal, while Facundo Medina is likely to return at left-back.
The only real selection dilemma comes at right-back, where Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel are competing for a starting spot. Further forward, Argentina should return to their strongest midfield, with Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister at the heart of the side and Rodrigo De Paul providing his usual energy. Lionel Messi is expected to partner Lautaro Martinez in attack as the defending champions look to avoid any surprises in the knockout rounds.
Cape Verde team news
Bubista is expected to make a couple of changes after Cape Verde’s final group match. Sidny Lopes Cabral returns from suspension and should reclaim his place at left-back, while Steven Moreira is also in line to start alongside Roberto Lopes and Diney Borges. Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha is set to continue between the posts after another assured tournament.
Telmo Arcanjo remains a doubt through injury, so Deroy Duarte is likely to keep his place in midfield alongside Kevin Pina and Jamiro Monteiro. Up front, Dailon Livramento should continue as the central striker, while captain Ryan Mendes is expected to start on the right. The only uncertainty comes on the opposite flank, where Jovane Cabral looks the favourite to earn the nod after starting against Spain.
Head-to-head
Argentina and Cape Verde have never faced each other before, making this their first meeting in any competition. The South Americans also boast an excellent recent record against African opposition at the World Cup, winning each of their last seven such matches after losing to Cameroon in their first meeting back in 1990.
Another Messi masterclass incoming
Argentina have been solid so far in this tournament and the brilliance of Lionel Messi has been ever-present. After six goals in the group stage, we cannot keep away from the 13/5 with William Hill for Messi to score 2+ goals against a side Cape Verde should swat aside.
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