Argentina prepares for knockout stage
Argentina is set to continue its World Cup campaign, facing Cape Verde in the Round of 32. The match, scheduled for Friday, July 3, will take place at Miami Stadium in Florida, US, with kickoff at 6pm Eastern Daylight Time (22:00 GMT). The encounter is being described as a significant challenge for Cape Verde, a nation making its debut in the knockout stages of the tournament.
Argentina, the defending champions from 2022, advanced to the knockout rounds with a perfect record of three wins in three matches. Their strong performance has been significantly influenced by Lionel Messi, who has scored six goals, positioning him as a contender for the Golden Boot. The 39-year-old player continues to achieve milestones on the international stage.
The team secured the top spot in Group J with nine points. Their journey to this stage included victories against Jordan, Austria, and Algeria in the group stage, scoring a total of eight goals. Argentina has also maintained a strong record against African opponents in the World Cup, having won their last seven such games since a loss to Cameroon in 1990.
Cape Verde’s historic run
Cape Verde, a small island nation, has emerged as a notable presence in the tournament, becoming one of only four debutant teams to reach the Round of 32. They are also the smallest country to participate in the World Cup knockouts. The team finished as runners-up in Group H with three points, progressing after draws against Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, and Spain.
Despite being considered underdogs, Cape Verde‘s coach, Bubista, emphasized the team’s consistent approach. He stated that their fearless style, which proved effective during qualification and the group stage, will remain unchanged against Argentina. The team’s participation has not only elevated the squad’s profile but also brought international attention to the nation.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the strength of Cape Verde, dismissing suggestions that they would be easy opponents. He noted that his team had analyzed Cape Verde as a potential opponent and was not surprised by their qualification. Scaloni stressed the importance of respecting their adversaries, recognizing that Cape Verde‘s presence in the knockout stage is a result of their capabilities.
Match outlook and team news
According to pre-match simulations, Argentina has an 81 percent chance of winning the game in regulation time and an 89.4 percent chance of advancing to the last 16. These simulations indicate that Cape Verde progressed in only 10.6 percent of the scenarios. This match will mark the first time these two nations have met on the football field.
In terms of team news, no injuries have been reported for the Argentina squad. However, Cape Verde will be without Telmo Arcanjo due to a hamstring injury. Sidny Lopes Cabral, a left-back, is expected to be available for selection after serving a one-match ban for accumulating yellow cards in previous games.
The predicted lineup for Argentina features a 4-4-2 formation, including Martinez in goal, with Molina, Romero, Martinez, and Medina in defense. The midfield is expected to comprise De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, and Almada, while Messi and Martinez lead the attack. Cape Verde‘s predicted lineup is a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Vozinha as goalkeeper, Moreira, Lopes, Borges, and Cabral in defense, Pina in defensive midfield, and Mendes, Duarte, Monteiro, and Semedo in midfield supporting striker Livramento.
Read Also
Source: aljazeera.com
