🇦🇷 Argentina vs Cape Verde 🇨🇻
Argentina, the Group J winners with a perfect nine points, met Cape Verde at Miami Stadium on July 3 in Match 86 of the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 — and survived a huge scare, winning 3–2 after extra time. Preview, TV information and full result below.
How to watch Argentina vs Cape Verde
Match context
Match 86 is Argentina's first knockout game of the World Cup 2026. The defending champions finished Group J with nine points and a +7 goal difference — one of the most dominant group stage records in the competition — and are expected to advance comfortably to the Round of 16. Cape Verde qualified as runners-up in Group H with 3 points, earning their place in the knockout bracket ahead of Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
After the upsets of June 29, nobody in this tournament can be dismissed. But Argentina's quality makes this one of the more one-sided matchups remaining on the schedule. The winner advances; track the path on the bracket visualiser.
Argentina: form coming in
Argentina were the most clinical team in the group stage from their side of the draw. Nine points, +7 goal difference, three wins — a squad that looks settled, organised, and genuinely dangerous from multiple positions. Their attacking depth is significant and their defensive structure has barely been tested across three group games.
Key players to watch: Lionel Messi (forward), Cristian Romero (defender), Lisandro Martínez (defender).
Cape Verde: form coming in
Cape Verde finished second in Group H with 3 points and a neutral goal difference — a compact, defensively organised campaign. Their coaching staff have built a structure that is genuinely difficult to play through, and they will not be here simply to make up the numbers.
Key players to watch: Deroy Duarte (midfielder) and Sidny Lopes Cabral — both scored in this tie and carried Cape Verde's attacking threat.
Tactical preview
Argentina are expected to be on the front foot from the first whistle. Their system is built around quick, incisive passing through midfield and forwards who create and convert in equal measure. Playing in Miami — with a large Argentine-supporting crowd expected — the atmosphere will suit them, and they will look to settle the match early.
Cape Verde's only realistic path to an upset is to remain compact, restrict Argentina's space in behind, and make the most of any set-piece or counter-attacking opportunity. They will need an extraordinary defensive performance for 90 minutes and clinical conversion of the few chances they are likely to create.
The lessons of June 29 are that no team should be taken lightly in the knockout stage. But Argentina have the combination of squad quality, tournament experience, and current form to progress here without extra time.
Prediction
Argentina to win. The gap in quality is significant. Expect a professional performance and a comfortable margin of victory, though Cape Verde's defensive organisation may keep the score tighter than the difference in quality suggests.
Result and recap
Argentina 3–2 Cape Verde, after extra time. Lionel Messi put the defending champions ahead in the first half, but Deroy Duarte equalised to force extra time. Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina's lead from a corner, Sidny Lopes Cabral levelled again with a stunning curler from the edge of the area, and Cristian Romero's header from a Messi corner finally settled it. Argentina advance to the Round of 16, where they meet Egypt in Match 95 on July 7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta. Cape Verde are eliminated.
What's next
Argentina advance to Match 95 of the Round of 16 against Egypt on July 7 (12 p.m. ET) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta. Their projected bracket path is visible on the bracket visualiser.