The Argentine men’s national football team takes on Cape Verde on Friday, aiming to reach the World Cup 2026 round of 16. The match will be at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, kicking off at 7 p.m. Argentina time.
After a stellar group stage that saw the Albiceleste storm to the group top spot with three wins, eight goals scored and just one conceded, head coach Lionel Scaloni’s team goes into the knockout stage in good spirits.
“We’re feeling positive after winning the first three games, mainly because we’ve been able to have everyone play,” Scaloni said in his press conference after Argentina beat Jordan 3-1.
Scaloni added he’d “be lying” if he said that Cape Verde isn’t a good team that will give Argentina a tough time.
“In this World Cup, we’ve seen that you have to be careful,” he added. “They’re a good team that can play fast and has some good players. Some people may underestimate them, but I can assure you they’re a good team.”
The match will be a historic one for Scaloni, as he’s set to take charge of his 100th game as Argentina head coach. It will leave him just 24 behind the all-time record holder, Guillermo Stabile, who coached the Albiceleste between 1940 and 1960 and won six Copa Americas.
Who will play for Argentina? Leading the charge against Cape Verde will undoubtedly be team star and captain Lionel Messi. The Rosario player scored six of Argentina’s eight strikes, and currently leads the tournament’s goal-scoring table. He’s also become the World Cup’s all-time goal-scoring record holder.
Emiliano Dibu will start in goal, with Facundo Medina keeping the spot at left back he’s enjoyed for most of the tournament over usual starter Nicolás Tagliafico and Cristian Cuti Romero, who suffered a setback against Austria from the knee injury he was carrying, is also set to start.
Nahuel Molina beat out Gonzalo Montiel to start at right back, with Lisandro Martínez featuring as the other center back.
In midfield, Thiago Almada will join the trio of Rodrigo de Paul, Enzo Fernández, and Alexis MacAllister, with Lautaro Martínez next to Messi up front.