Published On 7/3/2026
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said that Cape Verde’s remarkable progress to the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup is “not a coincidence,” warning his team of the danger of the “Blue Sharks” in their round of 32 match.
Led by the brilliant Lionel Messi, who scored six goals in three matches, the defending champions passed the group stage easily, and it appears that they have received an easy draw towards the semi-finals.
Read also
list of 2 itemsend of list
Argentina or Egypt are waiting in the last 16, if Scaloni’s players end Cape Verde’s dream in Miami on Friday.
However, Scaloni does not look beyond facing Cape Verde, which tied all three of its matches in the group stage, including a match against Spain (0-0), to qualify ahead of Uruguay in Group Eight.
Scaloni said before his 100th match as head of Argentina’s coaching staff: “This is a team that has not lost. Their presence here is not a coincidence. We have to respect them, and this is what we will do.”
The 39-year-old Messi’s stunning performances have lit up the World Cup so far, but six of Argentina’s eight goals came courtesy of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, while the other two came against Jordan, who had already been eliminated, via a free kick by Giovani Lo Celso and a penalty kick by Lautaro Martinez.
Scaloni added: “We would like the goals to be distributed among all members of the team,” but he played down talk of his team’s excessive dependence on Messi.
Argentina may be facing a repeat of the final four years ago, when it beat France on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
The French team so far appears to be the most prominent team in the World Cup, having reached the final stage with strength, scoring 13 goals in four matches, thanks to a fearsome attacking trio that includes Kylian Mbappe, Michael Oliseh and Ousmane Dembélé.
Scaloni said: “What France has done is remarkable. They are a great team.”
Cape Verde coach ‘unafraid’
On the other hand, Cape Verde coach Pedro Leitao Brito “Bobista” confirmed on Thursday that his team is going into the round of 32 match against Argentina “without any fear,” refusing to comment on the rape accusations targeting national team captain Ryan Mendes.
Bobista said during a press conference at Miami Stadium about the historic confrontation awaiting his team, the Blue Sharks, in its first participation in the World Cup: “We are calm. We arrived here because we deserve it, and there is nothing to fear or cause for excessive anxiety.”
He added: “We realize the importance of the match ahead of us. It is the match of our lives, but we will enjoy it and give our best.”
He continued: “We are not thinking about anything else but trying to pass this round,” referring to his team’s endeavor to move forward in the tournament, after qualifying from the group stage by occupying second place in Group Eight, ahead of Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
The coach refused to answer three times questions related to the rape accusations against his team leader Mendes, according to what the representative of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) sitting next to him explained.
Mendes is facing a complaint of rape in New Zealand filed by a Brazilian woman, according to what was reported by the Brazilian media outlet, O Globo.
It is believed that the incidents occurred on March 27 inside a hotel in Auckland where the national team was staying during friendly matches organized by FIFA in Oceania.
Mendes, 36 years old, is the Blue Sharks player who has played the most international matches (99 matches), and is the team’s all-time top scorer (22 goals).
