Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted his side were pushed to their limits after surviving a spirited Cape Verde challenge to book their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. The defending champions needed extra time and an own goal to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory, with Scaloni insisting the thriller proved there are no easy knockout matches at a World Cup.
The reigning champions arrived as overwhelming favourites but were forced into a draining battle by the tournament debutants, who twice fought back from behind before eventually bowing out in front of a packed crowd in Miami. Speaking after the match, Scaloni said the performance was the perfect response to suggestions that Argentina had enjoyed a favourable route through the knockout draw.
Argentina vs Cabo Verde, FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights
“That was for those who said we had an easy run in the draw. Sure, we deserved to win and go through, but it was an extremely difficult match. They finished the match absolutely knackered. There are areas for improvement, but they’ve shown resilience,” Scaloni told reporters.
“The players are tired because of extra time, too many minutes, and some cramps. But when they play with their hearts, they can overcome anything. The team showed their character and their worth today,” he added.
The Argentina coach admitted Cape Verde’s second equaliser left him fearing the worst but praised his players for refusing to lose belief despite the mounting pressure.
“I just wanted the match to be over. You saw the stunning goal they scored. I’m always wary. I was calmer than I looked. Everyone thought it would be a walk in the park, but we knew it wouldn’t be. The best thing about this team is that it just keeps going, keeps going, keeps going. The boys keep attacking with their heart on their boots. I think we rose to the occasion. The pitch was strange; the ball wouldn’t run as we are used to, not ideal at all.”
HOW ARGENTINA SURVIVED THE CAPE VERDE SCARE
Argentina looked to be cruising when Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute with his seventh goal of the tournament, finishing brilliantly after latching onto Lisandro Martinez’s pass.
Cape Verde, however, refused to accept their fate. Deroy Duarte brought the World Cup debutants level just before the hour mark before Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina’s advantage with a stunning strike early in extra time. Even then, the drama was only beginning.
Sidny Lopes Cabral produced one of the goals of the tournament, curling a magnificent effort into the top corner to make it 2-2 and leave the reigning champions staring at a possible penalty shootout.
Argentina finally found the decisive breakthrough six minutes into the second period of extra time. Messi’s corner was met by Cristian Romero, with the ball deflecting off Cape Verde defender Diney Borges and into the net for the decisive own goal.
There was still time for one final scare as Lopes Cabral nearly forced penalties again with a superb late free-kick, only for Emiliano Martinez to produce an outstanding save.
For Scaloni, though, the exhausting victory carried a lesson that extended far beyond the scoreline.
“What does it mean to be Argentine? To suffer. Cape Verde gave 200 percent, and in football that levels things out. The fans are the first to understand that this is Argentina and nothing for us is easy. There is something special to this jersey. We will keep going forward and there is no way we haven’t come out of this stronger.”
Argentina now move on to a Round of 16 meeting with Egypt, but after Cape Verde’s fearless display, Scaloni knows the world champions can no longer expect straightforward nights in this World Cup.
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