Argentina 3-2 Cabo Verde: Argentina wins
Argentina enters the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup in perfect form, while Cabo Verde is confident with an unbeaten run. The match at Hard Rock Stadium promises to be dramatic as one of the two teams will be eliminated.
- 0'The match has started.
Argentina hosts Cabo Verde.
- 29'GOAL! Argentina (1-0)
29th minute:L. Messi(Argentina) scored (assist: L. Martinez). Score: 1 - 0.
- 45'End of the first half
At the end of the first half, the score was 1-0.
- 46'The second half has begun.
The second half has begun.
- 59'GOAL! Cabo Verde (1-1)
59th minute:D. Duarte(Cabo Verde) scored (assist: R. Mendes). Score: 1 - 1.
- 63'Substitution
63rd minute (Argentina): J. Alvarez comes on to replace L. Martinez.
- 64'Substitution
64th minute (Argentina): N. Gonzalez comes on to replace T. Almada.
- 67'Substitution
67th minute (Cabo Verde): J. Monteiro comes on to replace L. Duarte.
- 67'Substitution
67th minute (Cabo Verde): D. Livramento comes on to replace N. Da Costa.
- 68'Yellow card
68th minute: K. Lenini (Cabo Verde) receives a yellow card (Holding).
- 80'Substitution
80th minute (Cabo Verde): W. Semedo comes on to replace R. Mendes.
- 80'Substitution
80th minute (Cabo Verde): H. Varela comes on to replace J. Cabral.
- 84'Substitution
84th minute (Argentina): L. Paredes comes on to replace R. de Paul.
- 86'Substitution
86th minute (Argentina): N. Tagliafico comes on to replace F. Medina.
- 91'Extra time
The match went into extra time.
- 92'GOAL! Argentina (2-1)
92nd minute:L. Martinez(Argentina) scored (assist: A. Mac Allister). Score: 2 - 1.
- 100'Substitution
100th minute (Cabo Verde): Y. Semedo comes on to replace D. Duarte.
- 100'Substitution
Minute 100' (Cabo Verde): Benchimol comes on to replace K. Lenini.
- 103'GOAL! Cabo Verde (2-2)
103rd minute:S. Lopes Cabral(Cabo Verde) scored (assist: Y. Semedo). Score: 2 - 2.
- 104'Substitution
104th minute (Argentina): G. Montiel comes on to replace N. Molina.
- 111'GOAL! Argentina (3-2)
Minute 111:D. Borges(Cabo Verde) scored an own goal. The score is 3-2.
- 115'Yellow card
115th minute: G. Montiel (Argentina) receives a yellow card (Tripping).
- KTFinal score: Argentina 3-2 Cabo Verde
The match ended with a score of 3-2.
Updated at 07:45 on 04/07/2026
Team lineup updated at 04:25 on 04/07/2026
Official lineup
Hero
Diagram: 4-4-2
CoachLionel Scaloni
Starting lineup:
- 23. Emiliano Martínez (G)
- 26. Nahuel Molina (D)
- 13. Cristian Romero (D)
- 6. Lisandro Martínez (D)
- 25. Facundo Medina (D)
- 7. Rodrigo De Paul (M)
- 20. Alexis Mac Allister (M)
- 24. Enzo Fernández (M)
- 16. Thiago Almada (M)
- 10. Lionel Messi (F)
- 22. Lautaro Martínez (F)
Substitutes:
- 12. Gerónimo Rulli
- 1. Juan Musso
- 4. Gonzalo Montiel
- 2. Marcos Senesi
- 3. Nicolás Tagliafico
- 19. Nicolás Otamendi
- 14. Exequiel Palacios
- 11. Giovani Lo Celso
- 17. Giuliano Simeone
- 5. Leandro Paredes
- 18. Nico Paz
- 15. Nicolás González
- 8. Valentín Barco
- 9. Julián Alvarez
- 21. José Manuel López
Cabo Verde
Diagram: 4-1-4-1
CoachPedro Leitao Brito
Starting lineup:
- 1. Vozinha (G)
- 22. Steven Moreira (D)
- 4. Pico (D)
- 3. Disney Borges (D)
- 13. Sidny Lopes Cabral (D)
- 6. Kevin Lenini (M)
- 20. Ryan Mendes (M)
- 15. Laros Duarte (M)
- 14. Deroy Duarte (M)
- 7. Jovane Cabral (M)
- 21. Nuno Da Costa (F)
Substitutes:
- 23. CJ Dos Santos
- 12. Márcio Rosa
- 5. Logan Costa
- 25. Kelvin Pires
- 2. Stopira
- 24. Wagner Pina
- 11. Garry Rodrigues
- 26. Helio Varela
- 10. Jamiro Monteiro
- 8. João Paulo
- 17. Willy Semedo
- 16. Yannick Semedo
- 18. Telmo Arcanjo
- 19. Dailon Rocha Livramento
- 9. Gilson Tavares
There's no turning back in this match.
At 5:00 AM on July 4, 2026, Hard Rock Stadium will witness a fierce clash between Argentina and Cabo Verde in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. This is a knockout round — win or lose, go home. There's no second chance, no ranking to cling to.
For reigning world champions Argentina, this is the time to prove their class. For Cabo Verde, this is a historic opportunity to create one of the greatest feats in their football history.
Argentina: Perfect form, immense pressure.
Argentina entered the knockout round in the best possible condition. Coach Lionel Scaloni's team had won all three of their most recent matches, demonstrating the stability and character of a team eager to defend their world championship title.
That winning streak brought confidence, but also set very high expectations. In the knockout rounds, good form is only a necessary condition — mental fortitude and the ability to handle pressure are the decisive factors.
Cabo Verde: Undefeated but haven't shown their full potential yet.
Cabo Verde isn't here to be a pushover. The Atlantic Islands team has gone three games unbeaten, albeit in draws. That unbeaten streak demonstrates a disciplined, resilient team that knows how to maintain a solid defensive structure.
However, consecutive draws also reflect caution—or sometimes a lack of sharpness—in attack. Against a formidable opponent like Argentina, Cabo Verde will need more than just resilience: they need moments of brilliance to spring a surprise.
Assessment
Argentina are clearly the stronger contenders with their perfect winning record and superior player quality. However, Cabo Verde are not an easy opponent to overcome — their unbeaten run is proof of a well-organized team with a high fighting spirit.
The match will most likely see Argentina controlling the game, while Cabo Verde look for opportunities from counter-attacks or set pieces. However, in football, especially in the World Cup knockout rounds, anything can happen.
Argentina's recent form
- June 28, 2026: Jordan 1-3 Argentina (Winner)
- June 23, 2026: Argentina 2-0 Austria (Winner)
- June 17, 2026: Argentina 3-0 Algeria (Winner)
- June 10, 2026: Argentina 3-0 Iceland (Winner)
- 07/06/2026: Argentina 2-0 Honduras (Winner)
Cabo Verde's recent form
- June 27, 2026: Cabo Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia (Draw)
- June 22, 2026: Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde (Draw)
- June 15, 2026: Spain 0-0 Cabo Verde (Draw)
- June 7, 2026: Cape Verde 3-0 Bermuda (Win)
- May 31, 2026: Cabo Verde 3-0 Serbia (Win)
Rankings
| Team | Location | Point | form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabo Verde | 2 | 3 | DDD |
Team form and statistics
Argentina (Host)
Form in the last 5 matches:WHA
Statistics for this season:
- Matches played: 3
- Wins: 3 (2 at home)
- Draw: 0 (0 at home)
- Losses: 0 (0 at home)
Goal:
- Scored: 8 goals (Average: 2.7 goals/match)
- Goals conceded: 1 goal (Average: 0.3 goals/match)
Cabo Verde (Guest)
Form in the last 5 matches:DDD
Statistics for this season:
- Matches played: 3
- Wins: 0 (0 away wins)
- Draws: 3 (2 away games)
- Losses: 0 (0 away games)
Goal:
- Scored: 2 goals (Average: 0.7 goals/match)
- Goals conceded: 2 (Average: 0.7 goals/match)
Force situation
Female:No injury information available.
Cape Verde Islands:No injury information available.
Predicted lineup
Predictions and odds
Predicted winner:Hero
Predicted odds:
- Home team wins: 50%
- Draw: 50%
- Guest wins: 0%
Predicted number of goals:
- Home team: -3.5 goals
- Guest: -1.5 table
Advice:Combo Winner : Argentina and -3.5 goals
*This article was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI).
