Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi (2nd R) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 World Cup Group J football match between Argentina and Austria at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on June 22, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
Cape Verde’s stunning progress to the World Cup knockout stages is “no accident” said Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni as he warned his side about the threat posed by the Blue Sharks in their last 32 tie.
Led by the brilliance of Lionel Messi’s six goals in three games, the defending champions cruised through the group stage and appear to have a kind draw towards the semi-finals.
Australia or Egypt await in the last 16 if Argentina end the Cape Verde dream in Miami on Friday, while Switzerland or Colombia are likely quarter-final opponents for La Albiceleste.
However, Scaloni is not looking beyond Cape Verde, who drew all three of their group games, including against Spain, to progress ahead of Uruguay in Group H.
