04/07/2026 04:38 - Deportes
On July 3, 2026, the Argentine National Team, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, sealed their ticket to the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup after a fierce battle against Cape Verde. The match, held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, ended with a tight 3-2 scoreline in favor of the Albiceleste (the sky-blue and white, as the Argentine team is affectionately known).
Captain Lionel Messi made history once again by reaching 20 goals in World Cups, consolidating his position as the tournament's all-time top scorer. However, the match was far from easy: Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha kept his team's hopes alive with spectacular saves, which led to the Argentine coach receiving a modest 6-point rating from the press.
Man of the Match: Despite Messi's magic, it was Lisandro Martínez who earned the loudest applause, being named the best player of the game with an outstanding rating of 9.
Cape Verde, an African island nation with just 500,000 inhabitants, proved to be a giant in this Round of 32. They arrived undefeated at this stage after securing three consecutive draws in the group phase against powerhouse teams like Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. Although their dream ended in Miami, they left an indelible mark on world football history, showing that passion and teamwork know no limits.
The winner of the clash between Australia and Egypt will face Argentina on July 7 in the city of Atlanta.
Meanwhile, Portugal and Spain will star in a high-level Iberian duel. On the other hand, Mexico and England will face each other at the Estadio Azteca, a scenario that could force the English squad to take extreme measures due to the high altitude of Mexico City.
Source: Imago News | #WorldCup2026
Alfredo S. Quiroga
