Argentina vs Cape Verde
The reigning World Cup champions are set to meet the ‘People’s Champions’ in a fairytale meeting at the Hard Rock Arena in Miami on Friday afternoon.
In my SBOTOP piece on the Cape Verde’s World Cup 2026 qualification I mused that they would be playing the best teams in the world; and they have already drawn with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia and now they meet Lionel Messi and Argentina. It is the stuff of dreams but for the Blue Sharks and their fans, their greatest day in football is a reality.
Cape Verde manager Bubista should already be a candidate for Coach of the Tournament. Who thought he’d guide his team through a group which contained Spain and Uruguay; not scraping through Group H as a best third placed team… but in a clear second place to La Roja.
Now the archipelago of ten volcanic islands, just off the coast of West Africa, is preparing to play the best team on the planet, according to the recently updated FIFA World Rankings, and their talisman Messi, arguably the most famous player in the game…does life get any better?
Talking Points
Argentina now clear favourites
After an impressive first stage of the competition, winning all three of their group games, scoring nine goals and conceding just one, the World Cup 2026 betting odds have shifted quite sharply towards Argentina. Spain dropped points to Cape Verde, and with the likes of powerhouses Germany and Netherlands already packing their bags for home the evidence suggests that a European triumph in the Americas looks increasingly like a long shot. And the way Brazil struggled to beat Japan it makes sense that the Albiceleste leads the way.
Messi leads the race for the Golden Boot with six goals while Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez got his campaign up and running with a goal against Jordan, Gio Lo Celso scoring the third. Manager Lionel Scaloni has a deep squad to pick from with the likes of the Atletico Madrid strike pair of Julian Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone appearing against Jordan, and they will be pushing for a start against Cape Verde. Scaloni won’t take risks against the Blue Sharks, but he can use his squad to the full, and we may see a return to the starting line-up for Liverpool midfielder Alexis MacAllister and Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, while Como’s 21 year old attacking midfielder Nico Paz will hope to continue his good form.
Unbeaten Cape Verde have been sensational
They saw off two-time World Champions Uruguay in their group and the minnows of Cape Verde have lasted longer than the likes of Germany and the Netherlands, so Bubista’s band of brothers have already achieved more than most of us dared to imagine. Starting with a 0-0 draw against the pre-tournament favourites Spain, Cape Verde can rightly claim to have ignited the tournament, and they followed that up with a 2-2 draw with Uruguay. Kevin Pina gave the Blue Sharks an early lead before the South American giants hit back with a quick-fire double, but a second half strike from Maccabi Tel Aviv star Helio Varela earned a second consecutive point.
And two became three when Cape Verde held Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw with a gutsy display. Keeper Vozinha made a 92nd minute save from Abdullah Al Hamddan’s to ensure the Blue Sharks held off Saudi Arabia and finished second in the group table behind Spain.
Vozinha will be busy against Argentina but keep an eye open too for Hellas Verona’s 25-year-old striker, Dallon Livramento; he is a fast and powerful player who has thrived on loan at Portuguese Primeira League side Casa Pia this season.
History
This is the first meeting between these two sides and, of course Cape Verde’s first foray into the World Cup finals knockout phase, while Argentina are three-time winners, in 1978, 1986 and 2022.
Argentina have won all seven of their games in this calendar year and ten on the run in total while, with just one loss in 2026 the Blue Sharks have already had a great year, winning two and drawing four of their seven games so far.
Betting Tip
Argentina are the red-hot favourites at odds of 1.17 to win this game with the draw at 7.45 and a Cape Verde win at 18.00. And hey, if the Blue Sharks pull off another shock it will put all the other World Cup 2026 results in the shade. Can they do it? Of course they can. Will they do it…no.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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