The second half begins! Argentina haven't been exceptional in the first half, but Lionel Messi was, particularly with his goal. Can Messi and his men make it 2-0 or will Cape Verde bounce back in the second half? Let's find out. No changes made!

Lionel Messi has become the first player in the history of the World Cup to score 7 or more goals in two different editions of the World Cup. He did so in Qatar when Argentina won the World Cup. He has already done the same here.

What an exceptional pass it was from Lisandro Martinez. Then, Lionel Messi's control and execution to put the ball past Vozinha made the entire goal one of the most beautiful in this World Cup. This is how the strike looked from the stands:

Messi 's goal from the stand pic.twitter.com/dJzClVlOC6

— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) July 3, 2026

That's HALF TIME in the Round of 32 clash between Argentina and Cape Verde. Argentina are ahead, and they weren't close to making it 2-0, barring that one shot just minutes before the half-time whistle by Lautaro Martinez. It's not over yet, but do Cape Verde have what it takes to score against Argentina?

45' Lautaro Martinez with a fiery strike from just outside the penalty box but Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha gets down in time to keep the ball out. That was a brilliant opportunity for Argentina to go 2-0 up but Vozinha showed once again why he has been one of the most in-form goalkeepers in this World Cup. 4 Minutes of stoppage time added. 

40' A brilliant attacking move by Cape Verde, Ryan Mendes produces a nice cross, but the Argentina defence clears the danger. Deroy Duarte is then penalised by the referee for holding. This was a good chance for Cape Verde, but they didn't show the awareness needed.

34' Nahuel Molina catches his man with a heavy challenge, prompting referee Drew Fischer to blow his whistle and award Cape Verde a free kick. It is a welcome chance for the Blue Sharks to reset and flood the penalty area, though the set-piece is a bit too deep and wide for a direct shot on goal. The possession has overwhelmingly been in Argentina's favour so far!

29' GOOAAALLLLLL! Lionel Messi is SENSATIONAL. It's goal number 20 for Messi in World Cup history and 7th in this campaign. A brilliant control from Messi, who controls Lisandro Martinez's lofted pass extremely well, what a vision by the Manchester United man. Messi control the ball with the outside of his left foot and puts the ball past Vozinha, blasting the roo of the net. Simply EXCEPTIONAL!!!

24' Messi looks to gain control of a pass on the edge of the Cape Verde penalty box, but three defenders challenge him immediately to take the ball off. Messi hasn't looked comfortable at all in the first 20-25 minutes; credit to Cape Verde. The first hydration break is taken!

20' Messi's free-kick went straight to Vozinha as Argentina let a scoring-opportunity miss. Argentina right-back Molina then looked to catch Cape Verde defenders off guard and serve Messi an opportunity on a platter, but his pass was cut off by Vozinha. Argentina looking more and more dangerous!

17' CHANCE! Lionel Messi twists and turns his marker brilliantly inside the penalty area to find a yard of space, but the Argentina captain uncharacteristically drags his low strike just wide of the right-hand upright. A footballer of his calibre really should be hitting the target from there. The ball trickles behind for a Cape Verde goal kick, with the Blue Sharks escaping a major scare early on.

Argentina have a free-kick after Jovane Cabral's foul just outside the penalty box.

14' Cape Verde showing their defensive structure, determination, and coordination very well against Argentina. These are the traits that saw them qualify from the group stage unbeaten. Remember, even the European champions Spain couldn't score past them.

11' A poor through ball as Argentina right-back Molina launched a threatening run on the right flank from deep. But it could only be a goalkick. Neither team has gotten the hang of the conditions, the pace on the pitch, and the chemistry going at the moment. It's all been about a midfield battle in the first 10-11 minutes. 

8' Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha shows his skills on the ball as an Argentina player charges at him. He is looking incredibly calm even as he takes on Lionel Messi's Argentina, a team he has been rooting for as a fan. Messi is starting to get himself involved in the build-up a lot more!

5' Referee Drew Fischer has to stop the play for a foul by Rodrigo de Paul on a Cape Verde player early. The free-kick prompts a threatening ball into Argentina's penalty box, but it is dealt with efficiently by the defending champions. Cape Verde not willing to just defend deep but also test Argentina with their attacks. 

3' Argentina start off hoping to keep possession, but an awkward pass forced goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to come out of the penalty box and rescue the team a little bit. Lautaro Martinez with the first threatening run of the game for Argentina, but Cape Verde's defence is on the money. 

It's the 100th time that Lionel Scaloni is taking charge of Argentina today. He has a winning record of 72.73 with the national team. This is a historic day for Argentina and Scaloni and they would be keen to make it a memorable one on the pitch. We are underway in Miami!

Tears in the eyes of Cape Verde's players as their nation's national anthem is played for the first time in a World Cup knockout round. They are against the defending champions, the mighty Argentinians, who are led by none other than the GOAT, Lionel Messi. Cape Verde wants to continue the fairytale run, to continue their dream. But, it won't be as easy.

Lionel Messi and his men have arrived in the stadium tunnel, holding the hands of children who are witnessing history in the making. Cape Verde aren't the favourites, by any means, but they know what they have to do as they walk onto the ground. Both teams are unbeaten, but there's only one that can progress from here!

Argentina have shown time and again that they are built in a way to support Lionel Messi's strengths and nullify his weaknesses. Even as they arrive on the pitch in the build-up play, it looks like a group of men going to war, with their leader in the front. There's no ego, no clashes, no doubts in the players' minds when they arrive in the middle.

Leo Messi leads the team out to warmup ahead of game vs Cape Verde pic.twitter.com/2uALUJLH9s

— We Are Messi (@WeAreMessi) July 3, 2026

The winner of this knockout clash will book a ticket to Atlanta on Tuesday, 7 July, and will face Egypt in the Round of 16. The African side booked a spot in the next round after a penalty shootout win over Australia, as the scores had remained 1-1 in 120 minutes. 

Cape Verde's story is incredibly special, something that hasn't been seen in World Cups in a long time. They’re the first nation to progress from their World Cup group stage without securing a single victory since Chile in 1998. They are also the first nation, making their World Cup debut, to qualify for the knockout stages o the tournament since Slovakia in 2010. When it comes to African nations, they are the first ones to do so since Ghana in 2006.

Cape Verde might not be the strongest opponents Argentina are facing but Lionel Messi's men simply can't be complacent today. 7 of their last 13 World Cup knockout ties went to extra-time. Also, no team have seen more games go to extra-time than Argentina’s 11 in World Cup history.

Cape Verde XI vs Argentina: Cape Verde have announced their starting XI to take on Argentina. Vozinha starts in goal. Roberto Pico Lopes will be leading the backline. Look out for Jovane Cabral in attack!

Mundial 2026

16 avos de final

03 de Julho

Estadio de Miami

18h00 (21h00 CV)

Argentina Cabo Verde

https://t.co/UZCpdeWnj1

----- #FIFAWorldCup | #FIFAWorldCup2026 | #CaboVerde | #TubaroesAzuis | #WeAreCaboVerde pic.twitter.com/SVlODAhkWu

— Federacao Cabo-verdiana de Futebol (@fcfcomunica) July 3, 2026

Argentina XI vs Cape Verde: The regular starters are back for Argentina, as Lionel Scaloni announces the starting XI to face Cape Verde. Nahuel Molina and Cristian Romero are back in defence, despite injury worries. Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez up front, Julian Alvarez on the bench!

#FIFAWorldCup

Once inicial confirmado!

Asi formara #Argentina para el duelo ante #CaboVerde

Hoy juega Argentina y el corazon lo sabe pic.twitter.com/CiFPHVj4Df

— Seleccion Argentina (@Argentina) July 3, 2026

Argentina icon Lionel Messi is one goal away from becoming the first player in FIFA World Cup history to score 20 goals. He is already the top-scorer in tournament history, on 19, one ahead of France's Kylian Mbappe on 18.

It does not get more David versus Goliath than the match between Argentina and Cape Verde today. Argentina are the reigning World Cup champions and one of the strongest nations in the football world. Cape Verde are the smallest nation to ever qualify for the knockouts of a World Cup!

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash between Argentina and Cape Verde. We are live from Miami today, a city where Lionel Messi plays his club football. A classic David versus Goliath encounter today. Stay tuned to NDTV Sports for all the live updates from the match.