Argentina 3-2 Cabo Verde: Argentina wins

Thanh Vinh•July 4, 2026 02:00

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.

Hero3 - 2Cabo VerdeEnd of (extra time)
  • 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

TeamLocationPointform
Cabo Verde23DDD

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).

Thanh Vinh