Argentina continue the defence of their World Cup crown against Cape Verde in the round-of-32 on Friday at 11pm (UK time).
The defending world champions went perfect in the group stage and had top spot sealed after just two games. They opened the tournament with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Algeria, courtesy of a Lionel Messi hat-trick. Messi scored twice in the next game, a 2-0 win over Austria, extending his lead as the World Cup’s all-time leading goalscorer. Even with qualification secured, Argentina rounded off the group stage with a 3-1 victory against Jordan.
Cape Verde defied expectations to reach the knockout stages, finishing second in their group — qualifying ahead of Uruguay. They opened their first-ever World Cup with a draw against European champions Spain, a momentous occasion for many reasons. Cape Verde then drew against Uruguay, initially taking the lead before having to come from behind. Another goalless draw in the final game against Saudi Arabia sealed the Cape Verde’s spot in the knockout stages, still unbeaten at the World Cup.
Unsurprisingly, this will be the first-ever meeting between these two nations.
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Argentina vs Cape Verde team news
Argentina team news
Lionel Scaloni heavily rotatad for Argentina’s win over Jordan, with top spot already secured. So we’ll see a number of changes as he reverts to his first-choice starting lineup. There has also been a boost with Cristian Romero returning to full training following a brief injury worry. He’ll be back in the starting defence, partnering Lisandro Martinez at centre-back.
The one point of contention in this team will be who starts at right-back. Gonzalo Montiel started against Algeria, but was replaced by Nahuel Molina in the next game. Both were rested last time out, but Molina may get the nod. Facundo Medina should return at left-back, with Emiliano Martinez in goal.
The rest of the team should remain the same from the first two matches. Rodrigo De Paul offers support to the midfield from the right, while Thiago Almada can help in the attack from the left. Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister will continue as the central midfield pairing. Lautaro Martinez did start against Jordan but he’s unlikely to be rested, joining Messi in the attack. Argentina won’t be taking anything for granted.
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Cape Verde team news
Bubista will welcome Sidny Lopes Cabral back into the team after he missed the draw with Saudi Arabia through suspension. He’ll replace Joao Paulo who started at left-back last time out. Steven Moreira is also expected to return to the defence, having been a substitute against Saudi Arabia. They’ll be joined in the defence back Roberto Lopes, Diney Borges and goalkeeper Vozinha.
Telmo Arcanjo is still a doubt after his injury against Uruguay, so Deroy Duarte is expected to retain his spot in the midfield. Duarte had started the first match, before being rotated out for Arcanjo. Kevin Pina and Jamiro Monteiro will join him in midfield, having overcome injury worries of their own against Uruguay to start last time out.
Dailon Livramento is expected to lead the line, having regained his spot from Gilson Benchimol against Saudi Arabia. Ryan Mendes will captain Cape Verde from the right wing, but there is a question about his partner. Bubista has used three different players at left wing across the three matches. Given the magnitude of the game, Jovran Cabral may get the nod as he did against Spain.
Argentina vs Cape Verde predicted lineups
Argentina (4-4-2): E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi, La Martinez.
Cape Verde (4-3-3): Vozinha; Moreira, Lopes, Borges, Lopes Cabral; Duarte, K Pina, Monteiro; Mendes, Livramento, Cabral.
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