Argentina wary of 'very tough' Cape Verde in World Cup last 32

Argentina's Lionel Messi came off the bench to score his sixth goal of the tournament as the holders beat Jordan 3-1 on Saturday, setting up a last-32 meeting with Cape Verde that coach Lionel Scaloni and his players insist will not be taken lightly.

The win in Texas confirmed Argentina's place at the top of Group J with maximum points, having earlier beaten Algeria 3-0 and Austria 2-0, with all those goals coming from Messi. The 39-year-old, described by Buenos Aires Times as the team's "talisman," started on the bench but entered after an hour to a huge reception and scored the third goal with a free-kick.

Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a left-footed free-kick, and Lautaro Martinez added a second from the penalty spot in the first half. Jordan's Mousa Al-Tamari pulled one back 10 minutes after the break, but the match was effectively inconsequential for Jordan, who had already been eliminated after defeats to Algeria and Austria.

Scaloni made nine changes from the Austria match, retaining only goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and forward Lautaro Martinez. He said Messi could have played the full game, but the captain chose to give his teammates minutes. "He chose to think about what's coming, and that speaks volume about him," Scaloni said, as quoted by Dawn.

Lo Celso, who plays for Real Betis, described the group stage as "almost the perfect" one, lamenting only the goal conceded. "It's a pity about the goal we conceded today, we would've liked to end with a clean sheet," he said. "Still, I think it was a very good group stage. Now the most important part begins. From now on, it's about turning the page and thinking about Cape Verde, who will be a very tough opponent."

Coverage comparison

Buenos Aires Times framed the victory and the upcoming tie with enthusiasm, emphasising Messi's impact and calling the team "formidable," while also noting Argentina played in "one of the weaker groups." A second Buenos Aires Times piece took a more cautious tone, focusing on the challenge posed by Cape Verde and describing them as "surprise packages." Dawn's coverage was informative and neutral, highlighting Messi's role and Scaloni's tactical decisions, including the nine changes and the captain's choice to start on the bench.

Key claims

  • Lionel Messi scored his sixth goal of the tournament as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1.
  • Argentina finished top of Group J with maximum points, having beaten Algeria and Austria in earlier matches.
  • Messi started on the bench and came on after an hour.
  • Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martinez scored in the first half against Jordan.
  • Coach Lionel Scaloni made nine changes to the starting lineup.
  • Cape Verde reached the last 32 with three draws, including a goalless stalemate with Spain.
  • Argentina will face Cape Verde on July 3 in Miami.
  • Scaloni said Messi could have played the full game but chose to let teammates have minutes.
  • Lo Celso described the group stage as almost perfect.

Perspectives

Argentina's camp: Coach Scaloni and players expressed satisfaction with the group stage while emphasising respect for Cape Verde. Scaloni called the upcoming opponents "very tough," and Lo Celso echoed that view, saying the team would turn the page and focus entirely on the last-32 match.

Cape Verde's challenge: Although no direct quotes from the Cape Verde camp appear in the material, Buenos Aires Times and Dawn describe them as tournament debutants ranked 67th in the world, who squeezed into the knockout round with three draws. The reporting underscores that Argentina, despite being heavy favourites, considers them a serious threat.