1 month ago
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Key events
Mac Millings has seen Cape Verde in the flesh and doesn’t think this game is a done deal. “I was fortunate enough to be at the Cabo Verde-Spain game, and it was no fluke result. Cabo Verde kept them at arms length for most of the 90+ minutes, and could have nicked it at the end. You don’t qualify for the World Cup out of Africa by chance, and Argentina underestimate the Blue Sharks at their peril,” he says.
The stadium is packed with Argentinian fans, who outnumber the Cape Verdeans by several degrees. Perhaps not surprising given that Argentina has 48 million people and Cape Verde has 500,000. The lightning looks like it has held off though, so we should start on time.
Some entertainment while we wait for kick-off. Picture editor and the Guardian’s ninth-best surfer, Jonny Weeks, has produced a wonderful gallery comparing the US hosting the World Cup in 1994 to 2026. From the hairstyles to the stadiums, the kits to the celebrations, we take a look at the changing face of the game (and some fun fading images):
Sam MB writes in: “Looking forward to an interesting a defensive game, but perhaps one which features bursts of speed and a mildly amused Messi being roughed up by defenders. Truly though... Wouldn’t it restore faith in the world if the islanders triumphed? And I don’t mean England. Let’s go Sharks (do do do doot do do)!” And now I have Baby Shark in my head. Thanks Sam.
With all the caveats about every team being dangerous at the World Cup, the draw is opening up nicely for Argentina. Their path to the semi-final will potentially be Cape Verde, Egypt and Switzerland/Colombia. They also can’t play Spain or France until the final.
From the coaches.
Lionel Scaloni on Cape Verde:
“They’re a good team. We’ve already watched them, not just because we are playing against them, but because we were analysing potential opponents and then they qualified. We are not surprised, to be honest. They are a good team, and they are not here by chance. We must respect them and that’s what we will do.”
Bubista on his team:
“Since we arrived, we have trusted in our own way of working and in what we have done. If others did not respect us, that was their issue. We trust our work.”
Our man on the ground, Pablo Maurer, says there have been lightning strikes around the stadium. That means the start could well be delayed until the weather clears.
Mikel John Obi and Peter Schmeichel are on Fox to give their verdicts on how Cape Verde can beat Argentina, which basically boil down to “no chance” and “impossible”. But! They agree the Blue Sharks’ team unity is a big advantage.
Paul Wareham emails in to confirm Cape Verde is a lovely place to go on holiday and it does have a desert, to go along other great island deserts like Corsica’s Agriates and England’s Coventry. He also sent a charming photo of what appears to be a sand angel he made in the desert.
Team news
Lionel Messi will play in his 30th World Cup match tonight, extending his record for the most by a men’s player in their career. He’ll be joined by Lautaro Martinez in attack, while Julian Alvarez drops to the bench.
For Cape Verde, Cape Verde midfielder Telmo Arcanjo, who was struggling with a leg injury, starts on the bench. Sidny Lopes Cabral returns from suspension to start at left-back.
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Lionel Messi (captain), Thiago Almada, Lautaro Martinez. Subs: Musso, Rulli, Senesi, Tagliafico, Montiel, Paredes, Barco, Alvarez, Lo Celso, Palacios, Gonzalez, Simeone, Paz, Otamendi, Lopez.
Cape Verde: Vozinha, Diney Borges, Pico Lopes, Sidny Lopes Cabral, Steven Moreira, Kevin Pina, Jovane Cabral, Deroy Duarte, Laros Duarte, Ryan Mendes (captain), Nuno da Costa. Subs: Rosa, dos Santos, Stopira, Costa, Joao Paulo, Benchimol, Monteiro, Rodrigues, Yannick Semedo, Willy Semedo, Arcanjo, Livramento, Pina, Pires, Varela.
Referee: Drew Fischer (Canada)
Pablo Maurer is at the match for us tonight and reminds us that this is almost a home game for Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi. Like he needs the help:
A few teams that have lost more games at this World Cup than Cape Verde: Germany, Sweden, Japan, Uruguay, Norway, Croatia.
Now, admittedly, Cape Verde haven’t won any games either. But they’ve drawn against Saudi Arabia, Uruguay and Spain, the latter of whom I’m told are half decent. How do they win today. Hold on for long enough that Argentina start to doubt themselves and tire in the heat and then nick it on penalties thanks to Vozinha heroics would be the most obvious tactic. It’s hard to tell exactly how good Argentina are as they’re yet to be really tested this tournament. If they do get beaten what are we calling it? The Miracle in Miami? Sharks Tank Champs? Ummmm…
The winner of this match will play Egypt, who just beat Australia on penalties. The Socceroos elected to have TWO central defenders take their penalties, one of who is 18, which was a choice. That’s the first time Egypt have advanced from a knockout match. Reaction here with Scott Murray:
Aand we’re going to penalties in Australia v Egypt. Follow along here. I am now liveblogging a liveblog. They actually pay me for this:
During my exhaustive research for this liveblog – googling “Who is this Messi guy” and the like – I had a look at Cape Verde. I now want to go on holiday there. I am not taking money from the Cape Verde Tourist Board for this. For the sake of balance, I hear Argentina is great too.
The winners of this match will play either Australia or Egypt, who are currently in the second period of extra time in their last 32 match. You can follow all the action with our liveblog here:
Weather watch
A big blanket of filthy heat has squatted over the east coast of the US for the last few days, but it’s actually not too bad in Miami Gardens (by Miami Gardens standards). It will be 30C/86F at kick off, not ideal but not unfamiliar conditions for a lot of the Cape Verde squad, especially Pico Lopes, who is used to playing in the scalding heat of the Dublin suburbs for Shamrock Rovers. And possibly not for Lionel Messi who has spent his last few Julys playing in, let’s see … Miami!
Although Hard Rock/Miami Stadium doesn’t have AC it is designed to capture breezes. It was certainly pleasant enough the one time I’ve been there. Although, granted, that was in February.
Preamble
Hello! It’s fairytale time as Cape Verde, the smallest nation left in the World Cup, are playing the world champions, Argentina, led by the greatest player of the modern era. According to Opta’s Very Big And Clever Super Computer the Cape Verdeans have a 10% chance of winning tonight, which seems a little generous?
Anyway, if they do win it would be a sporting shock along the lines of Japan beating South Africa at the (Rugby) World Cup, Leicester winning the Premier League, Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson, the Miracle on Ice, Cameroon beating Argentina at the 1990 World Cup, Saudi Arabia beating Argentina at the 2022 World Cu... Hang on, I’m seeing a trend here.
Tom will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s a look at this match from Graham Ruthven’s daily watch guide:
What to watch for
So far, so good for Argentina in their World Cup defence. Messi and his team maintained a perfect record through the group stage, scoring eight goals and conceding just one in the process. On the basis of what they have shown so far, La Albiceleste will take some stopping. Their game is functioning well.
Cape Verde have made history at every turn this summer. Not just content with qualifying for their first World Cup, the Blue Sharks will now play their first World Cup knockout match against the defending champions. Cape Verde kept Spain and Uruguay at arm’s length and will aim to do the same against Argentina.
Player to watch: Lionel Messi, Argentina – The Goat has been in top form so far, scoring six goals in just three games. Even at 39, Messi is unmatched when it comes to deciding a match at the elite level. There’s no one like him.
