{"id":15124,"date":"2026-06-28T11:57:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T15:57:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/?post_type=news&p=15124"},"modified":"2026-06-28T11:59:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T15:59:14","slug":"match-preview-argentina-vs-cape-verde-07-03-26-world-cup-2026-round-of-32","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/us\/news\/world-cup\/match-preview-argentina-vs-cape-verde-07-03-26-world-cup-2026-round-of-32\/","title":{"rendered":"Argentina vs Cape Verde: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Stats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Argentina against Cape Verde at Hard Rock Stadium on Friday, July 3 at 6:00 PM ET \/ 5:00 PM CT \/ 3:00 PM PT is the first all-or-nothing test of the holders’ tournament. Lionel Scaloni’s side swept Group J with three wins from three, scoring eight and conceding only once; Argentina<\/a> are still the bet365 favourites to lift the trophy in New Jersey and the bookmakers have priced this round-of-32 tie as a procession. Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach a senior World Cup knockout round, have done it the hard way \u2014 three draws, three points, and a place in the last 32 as Group H runners-up behind Spain.<\/p>\n\n

The bet365 American moneyline opens Argentina at -600 to win, the draw at +700 and Cape Verde<\/a> at +1400. That’s a 14.3% implied-probability cushion for the underdog and a 1\/6 fraction on the favourite. It reads like a mismatch on paper. The angle worth chasing isn’t the result \u2014 it’s the margin, and whether a Cape Verde defence that has conceded only twice in 270 minutes can keep the score civilised.<\/p>\n\n

Argentina vs Cape Verde: Best Bets & Predictions<\/h2>\n\n
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Our Prediction<\/th>Odds & Sportsbook<\/th>Confidence<\/th>Why We’re Backing It<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Match Result: Argentina<\/strong><\/td>-600 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(85.7%)<\/td>		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>Argentina won all three group games and conceded just once; Cape Verde have not scored from open play all tournament.<\/td><\/tr>\n
Correct Score: 3-0 Argentina<\/strong><\/td>+550 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(15.4%)<\/td>		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>Argentina opened the tournament with a 3-0 win over Algeria; Cape Verde have yet to concede more than two in a game, but the gulf in attacking quality points to a comfortable margin.<\/td><\/tr>\n
Anytime Goalscorer: Lionel Messi<\/strong><\/td>-175 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(63.6%)<\/td>		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>Messi scored in Argentina’s group wins and is among the tournament’s top scorers. Cape Verde have no answer for him in space.<\/td><\/tr>\n
Over 2.5 Goals<\/strong><\/td>-163 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(62.0%)<\/td>		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>Argentina averaged 2.67 goals a game across the group stage and now face a side that drew its way through Group H. The favourite will press for a comfortable margin.<\/td><\/tr>\n
Both Teams to Score: No<\/strong><\/td>-225 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a>
(69.2%)<\/td>		\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>Cape Verde have two goals in three matches, both from set-pieces. Argentina conceded just once in the group stage.<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.<\/small><\/p>\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"bet365<\/a>\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tGet Offer<\/a>
\n Our Score<\/span>\n 9.5<\/span>\n <\/div>\n \n Read our review<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t

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World Cup Form & Route to the Round of 32<\/h2>\n\n

Argentina’s path was a top-of-group canter and a perfect nine points. They beat Algeria 3-0 in their opener at Arrowhead, then put Austria to the sword 2-0 in Arlington, and rounded out the group with a 3-1 win over Jordan to finish on maximum points with eight goals scored and one conceded.<\/p>\n\n

Cape Verde never won a match and still made it through. They held Spain to a goalless draw on the opening night, rescued a 2-2 against Uruguay in Miami after trailing 2-1 at the break, then ground out a 0-0 against Saudi Arabia in Houston to finish on three points with a neutral goal difference. It was enough to slip into the round of 32 as Group H runners-up behind Spain \u2014 a route built almost entirely on defensive discipline.<\/p>\n\n

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Team<\/th>Group<\/th>Pos<\/th>GP<\/th>W<\/th>D<\/th>L<\/th>GF<\/th>GA<\/th>GD<\/th>Pts<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Argentina<\/td>J<\/td>1st<\/td>3<\/td>3<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>8<\/td>1<\/td>+7<\/td>9<\/td><\/tr>\n
Cape Verde<\/td>H<\/td>2nd<\/td>3<\/td>0<\/td>3<\/td>0<\/td>2<\/td>2<\/td>0<\/td>3<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

Potential Match-Winners<\/h2>\n\n