Argentina vs Cabo Verde Prediction, Betting Tips & Odds

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World Cup Predictions

by Fred Mwambu

3 weeks ago 0 27

Last Updated on July 3, 2026

Competition – FIFA World Cup 2026

Round of 32 – Saturday, July 4, 2026

Kick-off – 1 am (Friday night)

Venue – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens

The winner faces the winner of Colombia/Ghana

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Why Argentina vs Cabo Verde match matters

Without a doubt, this could be considered one of the most lop-sided clashes of the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Three-time champions and holders Argentina face an archipelago nation with a population of roughly 500,000 people who are debuting at this stage. Cape Verde also became the nation with the smallest population ever to reach a FIFA World Cup.

Argentina reached the knockout Round of 32 as one of only three teams that cruised through the group stages with a perfect record, winning all three games. They did that with some fluid attacking football with their legendary captain Lionel Messi in cruise control of everything, their movement and structure.

Messi’s hat trick against Algeria in their 3-0 opening victory sent a signal that the defending champions were here for business, and they, or let’s just say he, followed that with a brilliant brace against Austria that all but sealed their progress to this round with a game to spare. Messi became the outright all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history, surpassing German legend Miroslav Klose’s 16-goal record.

Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni opted to rest Messi for their final Group J match against Jordan, but Giovani Celso and Lautaro Martinez proved the team has several goal options besides Messi with two first-half strikes. Messi was introduced later in the first half and didn’t waste time as he scored the third in the 80^th minute to move to six goals. That rest was crucial for Messi, who arrived at the tournament managing a hamstring that he picked up during a league match for Inter Miami, but he now seems to be in the best shape for the knockout business.

ALSO READ – Spain v Austria Prediction, Betting Tips & Odds

Cape Verde fairytale continues

But Argentina will not underrate their opponent, who is ranked 67^th in the latest FIFA Rankings. Cape Verde reached this stage in a bizarre fashion as they failed to win a single match in their Group H, which they shockingly finished second ahead of Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

Their headline match arrived in just their debut as they shocked European champions and the pre-tournament’s favourites, Spain, to a goalless draw. The highlight of the group stage was Blus Sharks’ 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who produced one of the best one-man performances to shut out a marauding Spanish attack with over 13 saves in that single match. They followed that performance with a 2-2 draw against a Uruguay side that was leading them 2-1 at halftime before Helio Varela grabbed a point and a rare hope. Their 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia in the final group game, coupled with Spain’s 1-0 win over Uruguay, saw them finish second.

Argentina’s last five matches

28.06.2026 – Jordan 1-3 Argentina
22.06.2026 – Argentina 2-0 Austria
17.06.2026 – Argentina 3-0 Algeria
10.06.2026 – Argentina 3-0 Iceland
07.06.2026 – Argentina 2-0 Honduras

Goals scored – 13

Goals conceded – 1

Key trends from Argentina’s recent matches

Argentina have won all three of their group games and have won five out of five in June, including build-ups. They have scored exactly 2-0 and 3-0 twice each and have not conceded in four of their last five matches. While their attack has been outstanding, their defence has also been efficient.

Cabo Verde’s last five matches

27.06.2026 – Cabo Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia
22.06.2026 – Uruguay 2-2 Cabo Verde
15.06.2026 – Spain 0-0 Cabo Verde
06.06.2026 – Cabo Verde 3-0 Bermuda
31.05.2026 – Cabo Verde 3-0 Serbia

Goals scored – 8

Goals conceded – 2

Key trends from Cabo Verde’s recent matches

Cape Verde drew all their three group stage matches, with two of them against Spain and Saudi Arabia ending goalless. The two goals conceded against Uruguay are the only ones they have conceded in their last five matches, during which they have kept four clean sheets, and they should be a tough side to break down.

Head-to-Head

Argentina and Cabo Verde have never met in a senior international match before.

Form Guide

Argentina: W-W-W-W-W
Cabo Verde: D-D-D-W-W

Argentina team news

Lionel Scaloni has a clean bill of health in his Argentina squad. Cristian Romero had a knee concern but has returned to training and should be able to start ahead of Nicolas Otamendi, while Nicolas Tagliafico, who sat out the opening games, overcame a muscle problem and was fully back against Jordan.

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Key Argentina players to watch

Messi is not just a key player for Argentina but a possible contestant for player of the tournament if he advances deep. The Inter Miami star has already scored six goals and is the joint-leading scorer with Kylian Mbappe. He currently holds the all-time World Cup scoring record with 18 goals and will, without a doubt, slot back into the starting team after resting for 60+ minutes against Jordan.

Lautaro Martinez is Argentina’s man for the penalties and leads the striking line. He scored one in their last group game against Jordan while Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister controlled the midfield.

Cabo Verde team news

Cabo Verde winger Telmo Arcanjo has been ruled out after straining a muscle in training; otherwise, there are no more injury scares or suspensions.

Key players for Cabo Verde to watch out for

Definitely, all focus will be shifted to Cabo Verde’s 40-year-old keeper Vozinha, whose outstanding performance against Spain caught global attention, with his social media account growing from a few thousand followers to more than 2,000,000 followers. His skills will once again be tested against one of the two most lethal strikers at the tournament right now, Messi, who is surrounded by a galaxy of stars capable of scoring from all areas. Their veteran captain Ryan Mendes will be making his 99^th appearance in Cabo Verde’s shirt and will hope to guide is team and cap a century with a World Cup match.

Argentina’s predicted lineup:
Martínez; Molina-Romero-Martínez-Medina; De Paul-Mac Allister-Fernández; Almada-Messi-Lautaro.

Cabo Verde’s predicted lineup:
Vozinha; Moreira-Lopes-Borges-Cabral; Duarte-Pina-Monteiro; Mendes-Livramento-Jovane.