In the lead-up to the Round of 16 match of the World Cup 2026, Lionel Scaloni, the coach of Argentina, showed respect and knowledge about the sensation Cape Verde, which finished second in the group stage. In Group H, the Blue Sharks recorded three draws. Uruguay and Saudi Arabia were eliminated in the initial phase. “Cape Verde is a team that hasn’t lost and, even against Saudi Arabia, deserved to win. They defend well, close down interior passes effectively, and then counter-attack very well. They have players with good technique. It’s a good team; we have been analyzing them because they were a potential opponent. In the end, they advanced, and it doesn’t surprise us. They are not here by chance,” he analyzed, expressing confidence but caution regarding the moment of the Albiceleste, who won all three group stage matches, with Messi standing out. “We are doing well. Logically, with the same hope as everyone else, but there is an opponent that has done things very well and that we must respect. The margin is now narrow. It’s a match where the loser goes home, but we are in a good moment,” he concluded. Scaloni also pointed to France as the main favorite to win the World Cup 2026, although he highlighted other teams with strong possibilities. “I believe France is doing very well, and Brazil too. I saw Mexico play a great game against Ecuador. Colombia is also doing very well. Spain, logically, Portugal, England… These are teams that will be in the fight,” declared the coach. The Argentine coach also emphasized the balance that has characterized the knockout stage of the competition: “We are seeing very balanced matches; except for those of France or Mexico, most have been very tight, and it won’t be easy.”
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