Argentina vs Cape Verde Islands
Argentina and Cape Verde Islands battle to draw in thriller
A seesaw encounter in the World Cup saw both sides exchange blows deep into extra time.
Argentina and Cape Verde Islands served up a gripping 1-1 draw after extra time in the World Cup, with Lionel Messi opening the scoring before Deroy Duarte equalised. The match saw further drama in extra time as Lisandro Martínez put Argentina ahead, only for S. Lopes Cabral and Diney Borges (own goal) to level the contest again. While Fipster predicted an Argentine win, the draw defied the expectation of a clean sheet, making for a pulsating encounter.
Analysis
Argentina prepare to face Cape Verde Islands in the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026. With Argentina boasting a squad packed with top-tier European league talent and Cape Verde making their World Cup debut, this match promises a clear test of experience and quality.
Argentina enter this knockout stage after topping their group with 6 points and a +5 goal difference, showcasing strong form with a recent run of three wins in five matches. They have appeared 18 times at the World Cup and won the tournament thrice (1978, 1986, 2022). Cape Verde Islands, on the other hand, are making their World Cup debut and qualified directly by topping their group with 23 points. Their recent form is more modest, with draws and a win in their last five matches.
The calibre gap is stark: Argentina field 20 players from top-5 European leagues, including stars like Lautaro Martínez (Serie A) and Nicolás Tagliafico (Ligue 1), while Cape Verde have just one such player, Logan Costa (La Liga). Argentina's recent form (WWWLW) and strong qualifying record further bolster their chances. Cape Verde's defensive resilience, led by Diney Borges, will be tested heavily against Argentina's attacking prowess, particularly with Lionel Messi's exceptional scoring form.
Prediction
Expect Argentina to take control early, leading 1-0 at halftime and extending their advantage to a 2-0 victory by full time. The match should see a modest three cards, reflecting disciplined play typical of knockout stages. Confidence in this outcome is high at 85%, given Argentina's clear superiority in squad quality and momentum.
Outcome probability
Key Insights
Messi's Dominance Against Weaker Defenses
Messi's exceptional scoring form and home advantage create a tactical edge exploiting Cape Verde's defensive vulnerabilities.
Argentina's Superior Offensive Output
Argentina averages over 2 goals per game with multiple players contributing, while Cape Verde struggles to score consistently.
Argentina's Winning Streak and Clean Sheets
Argentina's recent 3-game winning streak with clean sheets boosts confidence and defensive solidity.
Cape Verde's Defensive Reliance on Borges
Diney Borges' defensive performance is key to Cape Verde's resistance but may be overwhelmed by Argentina's attack.
No Significant Injuries Reported
Both teams have full squads available, so no injury disruptions expected to affect tactics or lineup.
Key Takeaways
In summary, Argentina's experience, squad strength, and recent performances make them overwhelming favourites to progress comfortably past Cape Verde Islands. While Cape Verde's debut is commendable, the step up in class is significant, and the Albiceleste are expected to assert their dominance with a solid 2-0 win.
- Argentina have 18 prior World Cup appearances and have won the tournament three times (1978, 1986, 2022).
- Cape Verde Islands are World Cup debutants in 2026.
- Argentina topped their qualifying group with 38 points and a +21 goal difference.
- Cape Verde Islands qualified directly by finishing first in their group with 23 points.
- Argentina's squad includes 20 players from top-5 European leagues.
- Cape Verde Islands have only one player in a top-5 European league.
- Argentina's recent form is WWWLW, showing strong momentum.
- Cape Verde's recent form is DDDWD, indicating a more cautious run.
Player Insights
Standout players Fipster expects to impact the match — curated highlights, not full squad lists
Home — Argentina
Away — Cape Verde Islands
Form as the teams went into this match — excludes this result and anything since.
Team Comparison
Season shape — attack, defence, form, clean sheets & win rate
Home vs Away comparison
Goal difference in each of the last few fixtures — above the line is a net win, below is a net loss
Season comparison
Goals scored & conceded, goal difference and clean sheets across the season
Halftime Performance
What each side does once the whistle goes for half time
Streaks
Recent-form runs — each side’s most-recent game meets in the middle
Head to Head
FIFA world ranking
Messi
Assist: Martínez
Deroy Duarte
Assist: Ryan Mendes
Lautaro Martínez
Almada
Duarte
Nuno da Costa
Kevin Pina
Yellow Card
Jovane Cabral
Ryan Mendes
De Paul
Medina
Martínez
Assist: Mac Allister
Deroy Duarte
Kevin Pina
Lopes Cabral
Assist: Yannick Semedo
Molina
Diney Borges (OG)
Montiel
Yellow Card
Match Statistics
Argentina
4-4-2Starting XI
- 6Lisandro MartínezD
- 7Rodrigo Javier De PaulM
- 10Lionel Andrés Messi CuccittiniF
- 13Cristian Gabriel RomeroD
- 16Thiago Ezequiel AlmadaM
- 20Alexis Mac AllisterM
- 22Lautaro MartínezF
- 23Damián Emiliano Martínez RomeroG
- 24Enzo Jeremías FernándezM
- 25Facundo Axel MedinaD
- 26Nahuel Molina LuceroD
Substitutes
- 1Juan Agustín MussoG
- 2Marcos Nicolás Senesi BarónD
- 3Nicolás Alejandro TagliaficoD
- 4Gonzalo Ariel MontielD
- 5Leandro Daniel ParedesM
- 8Valentín BarcoM
- 9Julián ÁlvarezF
- 11Giovani Lo CelsoM
- 12Gerónimo RulliG
- 14Exequiel Alejandro PalaciosM
- 15Nicolás Iván GonzálezF
- 17Giuliano Simeone BaldiniF
- 18Nicolás Paz MartínezF
- 19Nicolás Hernán Gonzalo OtamendiD
- 21José Manuel Alberto LópezF
Cape Verde Islands
4-1-4-1Starting XI
- 1VózinhaG
- 3Diney BorgesD
- 4PicoD
- 6Kevin PinaM
- 7Jovane CabralM
- 13Sidny Lopes CabralD
- 14Deroy DuarteM
- 15Laros d'Encarnação DuarteM
- 20Ryan MendesM
- 21Nuno da CostaF
- 22Steven MoreiraD
Substitutes
- 2StopiraD
- 5Logan CostaD
- 8João PauloM
- 9Gilson BenchimolF
- 10Jamiro MonteiroM
- 11Garry RodriguesF
- 12Márcio RosaG
- 16Yannick SemedoM
- 17Willy SemedoF
- 18Telmo ArcanjoM
- 19Dailon Rocha Livramento do RosarioF
- 23Carlos Joaquim Antunes dos SantosG
- 24Wagner PinaD
- 25Kelvin PiresD
- 26Hélio VarelaF
Argentina
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi(C) | F | 121 | 9.5 | 1 | — | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2/5 |
| Lisandro Martínez | D | 121 | 9.2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1/1 |
| Rodrigo De Paul | M | 84 | 7.6 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Cristian Romero | D | 121 | 7.2 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1/1 |
| Enzo Fernández | M | 121 | 7.0 | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | 2/2 |
| Facundo Medina | D | 86 | 7.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Emiliano Martínez | G | 121 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Alexis Mac Allister | M | 121 | 6.9 | — | 1 | — | — | 2 | — |
| Thiago Almada | M | 64 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2/2 |
| Nahuel Molina | D | 104 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Lautaro Martínez | F | 63 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/1 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Valentín Barco | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nico Paz | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Gerónimo Rulli | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| José Manuel López | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Giuliano Simeone | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nicolás Otamendi | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Giovani Lo Celso | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Juan Musso | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Exequiel Palacios | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Marcos Senesi | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Leandro Paredes | M | 37 | 7.0 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Nicolás Tagliafico | D | 35 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nicolás González | F | 57 | 6.3 | — | — | 2 | — | 1 | 1/1 |
| Julián Alvarez | F | 58 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1/1 |
| Gonzalo Montiel | D | 17 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Cape Verde Islands
| Player | Pos | Min | Rating | G | A | Shots | SoT | Key Passes | Dribbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vozinha | G | 121 | 8.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 1/1 |
| Sidny Lopes Cabral | D | 121 | 7.5 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1/4 |
| Deroy Duarte | M | 100 | 7.2 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| Kevin Lenini | M | 100 | 7.0 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 2/3 |
| Pico | D | 121 | 6.9 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Jovane Cabral | M | 80 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | — | 2/2 |
| Ryan Mendes(C) | M | 80 | 6.6 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | 1/1 |
| Steven Moreira | D | 121 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2/2 |
| Laros Duarte | M | 67 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0/3 |
| Diney Borges | D | 121 | 6.0 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 1 | — |
| Nuno Da Costa | F | 67 | 6.0 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Substitutes | |||||||||
| Wagner Pina | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Stopira | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kelvin Pires | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Telmo Arcanjo | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| CJ Dos Santos | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| João Paulo | M | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Garry Rodrigues | F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Márcio Rosa | G | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Logan Costa | D | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Yannick Semedo | M | 21 | 6.9 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — |
| Hélio Varela | F | 41 | 6.7 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1/3 |
| Gilson Tavares | F | 21 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |
| Dailon Rocha Livramento | F | 54 | 6.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Willy Semedo | F | 41 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 0/1 |
| Jamiro Monteiro | M | 54 | 6.2 | — | — | — | — | 1 | — |