Argentina take on Cape Verde in the round of 32 at the World Cup tonight, with the holders looking to take another step towards defending the trophy they won in Qatar in 2022.
Lionel Messi and co. look in fine form as they continue their bid to win back-to-back World Cups, with the Albiceleste’s talisman having scored six goals in just three games to begin his 2026 campaign.
As for Cape Verde, Bubista’s side have exceeded all expectations in finishing second in Group H and securing a spot in the last 32, and they can make life difficult for the best teams, as shown with their draw to Spain in their opening game.
The winner of this tie will face either Australia or Egypt in the last 16 in Atlanta on Tuesday, 7 July.
Follow all of the latest from the World Cup clash with our live blog below:
Team news
The starting line-ups should be released any time from now, so here’s a reminder of the early team news…
Argentina rested much of their regular starting side for the win over Jordan, with Lionel Messi among those primed for a return. The No 10 registered off the bench in that game to take his tally for the tournament to six, and in World Cups overall to 19.
For Cape Verde, Telmo Arcanjo missed the last game against Saudi Arabia and is again a doubt.
How does ‘Snicko’ work at the World Cup? Why Croatia were denied equaliser against Portugal by VAR technology
World Cup results
Here’s the full list of results from the round of 32 so far then:
Ronaldo’s tears, Martinez’s choice and Modric’s ending: Inside Portugal v Croatia, a World Cup epic
And the story of Portugal’s dramatic win over Croatia…
Then they trailed and Martinez showed a decisiveness he is often accused of lacking. A quadruple change altered the momentum, the World Cup. One of the arrivals, Goncalo Ramos, was to prove the man who did something many an opponent has failed to accomplish in the last two World Cups and finish off Croatia.
But Martinez’s later, and final, change was his most instructive, perhaps his most influential.
Are you watching, France? Spain breeze past Austria – and this is why they’re peaking at just the right time
Some of the big news from yesterday as Spain laid down the gauntlet to other sides in the competition…
While all the big-hitters around them experience a glut of goals and drama, depending on which way you glance, Spain continue their methodical and altogether stress-free path to the latter stages of the World Cup. Sure, they are lacking France’s all-out firepower. Sure, they are lacking a leading talisman in Argentina’s Lionel Messi or England’s Harry Kane. But as a cohesive unit, ticking over possession and grounding their opposition into submission, there is still no collective, well-rounded team better at this World Cup 2026 than La Roja.
In Los Angeles on Thursday, they made a statement. Across the board, the Spanish had too much suave and poise for an Austrian outfit who, after their incredible stoppage-time equaliser against Algeria last Saturday, had run out of steam. For Mikel Oyarzabal, there was another World Cup brace to back up his tally against Saudi Arabia as he ruthlessly capitalised on two pinpoint crosses from Marc Cucurella. In between those goals came a first international goal for Tottenham’s Pedro Porro, who took advantage of his starting pick ahead of Marcos Llorente. A tougher test lies in wait in the last 16, mind: either Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal or Luka Modric’s Croatia in Dallas on Monday.
World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Mbappe vs Messi standings as Kane joins thrilling race to finish top scorer
Not to be outdone, Mbappe has been in excellent scoring touch and a brace against Sweden propelled France to a 3-0 victory and a spot in the last-16 as he once again thrives on the biggest stage. It also sends him above Messi in the standings though they are level on goals scored.
When is Argentina vs Cape Verde?
Argentina vs Cape Verde is due to kick off at 11pm BST on Friday 3 July at Miami Stadium.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 10.15pm BST. A live stream will be available via ITVX.
Predicted line-ups
Possible Argentina XI: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Messi, La. Martinez, Almada.
Possible Cape Verde XI: Vozinha; Moreira, Pico, Diney, S. Cabral; Lenini; Mendes, Duarte, Monteiro, J. Cabral; Livramento.
