Di current world champion dey face di biggest surprise of dis World Cup. Argentina go meet Cape Verde for di round of 32, and di question na: e go be small chop or choke for Lionel Messi and company?
Di match don start for Miami, and di pressure dey build for Cape Verde. Di Blue Sharks dey dig deep, but Argentina dey push hard. Messi don already show class with one wonderful goal, plucking ball from air and smashing am into net. E be like magic.
But Cape Verde no gree give up. Dem don fight back, and Deroy Duarte don score equalizer, threading ball through Lisandro Martinez legs and past goalkeeper Martinez. Sensation for Miami! Argentina must start again.
Di referee na Drew Fischer from Canada. Dis match be di second-to-last round of 32 game. Winner go face Egypt for next round. Egypt don beat Australia on penalties earlier tonight. So we fit get Messi vs Mo Salah showdown.
Before match, dia dey controversy: Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes dey under investigation for alleged rape during FIFA Series for New Zealand in March. But e still start for di team. Five other changes for Cape Verde: Moreira, Jovane Cabral, Laros Duarte, Da Costa, and Sidney Lopes Cabral come into starting lineup. Wagner Pina, Paulo, Monteiro, Semedo, and Livramento go to bench.
Argentina well rested: only Lautaro Martinez remain from last group match against Jordan. Messi join am, plus Lisandro Martinez, Romero, Medina, Molina, De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, and Almada return.
Dis match be special for Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni: e be im 100th game in charge. Since 2018, e don lead Argentina to World Cup title (2022) and two Copa America titles (2021, 2024). E win 72 of first 99 matches. Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul praise Scaloni human approach: “When coach see say we be humans with emotions, you feel safer and perform better.”
Scaloni dey wary of Cape Verde, wey still undefeated dis World Cup after strong defensive displays against Spain and Uruguay. “We must respect dem plenty. Dem no lose any match. Against Saudi Arabia dem suppose win, and against Spain and Uruguay dem defend well,” e tok.
First half end with Argentina leading 1-0. Di goal na pure Messi magic. But Cape Verde no dey easy pushover. Dem dey fight and create chances. Di match dey open for second half.
Argentina start second half slow. Cape Verde dey defend well, and even create some attacks. Mendes show selfishness with one shot wey get blocked. Di game dey tense.
Messi don score 7 goals for dis tournament, leading top scorer chart ahead of Kylian Mbappe with 6. E now get 20 World Cup goals total, Mbappe dey chase with 18.
Argentina dey try to increase pressure. Messi get chance from free kick but Vozinha save. E get another chance but shoot straight at goalkeeper. Di miss rare for Messi.
Cape Verde substitute: Laros Duarte and Da Costa go off, Monteiro and Livramento come on. Argentina substitute: Lautaro Martinez and Almada off, Alvarez and Gonzalez on.
Argentina dey struggle to find rhythm. Cape Verde dey hold firm. Di match dey go into final stages with score still 1-1.
