04/07/2026 04:50 - Deportes
The Argentine National Team (affectionately known as 'La Scaloneta' due to their coach, Lionel Scaloni) secured their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup after defeating a surprising Cape Verde team 3-2 on July 3, 2026, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Although Scaloni's team struggled more than expected against goalkeeper Vozinha, captain Lionel Messi shined once again, reaching 20 goals in World Cups and cementing his status as the competition's all-time top scorer. Lisandro Martínez also delivered an outstanding performance, earning a remarkable rating of 9.
The team arrived at this stage after a flawless group phase, topping Group J with a perfect record: 3-0 against Algeria, 2-0 against Austria, and 3-1 against Jordan, with 6 goals scored by Messi.
Argentina's next match will take place on July 7, 2026, in the city of Atlanta. Their opponent will emerge from the clash between Australia and Egypt. Should they advance, Argentina will continue paving their way toward the highly anticipated tournament final.
The atmosphere in Miami was breathtaking. A massive flag-waving gathering of over 50,000 Argentine residents and countless tourists who arrived without tickets forced Aerolíneas Argentinas (Argentina's flag carrier) to add extra flights to support the national team.
The 2026 World Cup—co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—is full of surprises and high-voltage matchups. In other key Round of 32 matches, Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 and will now face Spain, who thrashed Austria on July 2, 2026. Meanwhile, Mexico eliminated Ecuador and will face England in what promises to be a historic duel at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Additionally, Colombia eliminated Ghana with a great team effort led by player Ríos, keeping South American hopes alive in the tournament.
With passionate fans behind them and a team that knows how to suffer and overcome adversity, Argentina continues to write its history in the 2026 World Cup. The dream of lifting the trophy once again is more alive than ever.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
