World Cup 2026: Argentina vs Cape Verde Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

Argentina meet Cape Verde at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami in their Round of 32 tie, with kickoff at 00:00 CAT on Saturday morning. Lionel Scaloni's defending champions won all three group games in style, while Cape Verde reached the knockouts on their tournament debut and became the smallest nation ever to do so. The winner advances to the last 16 and the loser is out. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

Argentina

Argentina were imperious in the group stage, winning all three games while scoring eight and conceding only once. In my opinion they have far too much talent for Cape Verde across the pitch, with Lionel Messi leading the Golden Boot race on six goals and Lautaro Martinez offering a ruthless focal point. Scaloni will welcome Messi back into the side after resting him in Argentina’s final Group Stage game, and Cristian Romero could potentially return from a knee injury suffered earlier in the tournament. My read on this is that the champions will look to settle the tie early and conserve energy for the rounds ahead.

Predicted Lineup: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi, Martinez.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde have been the story of the group stage, holding Spain to a goalless draw, recovering for a 2-2 draw with Uruguay and then shutting out Saudi Arabia to go through unbeaten. From my point of view Bubista's side are superbly organised and ride on the heroics of 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, but they have scored only twice and will miss the injured Telmo Arcanjo if he isn’t fit to return. The gulf in quality against the world champions is enormous, and I expect them to defend deep and hope to frustrate. My read on this is that even a disciplined Cape Verde will struggle to keep this Argentina attack quiet for ninety minutes.

Predicted Lineup: Vozinha; W. Pina, Lopes, Diney, Fernandes; K. Pina; Monteiro, Duarte; Livramento, Semedo, Mendes.

Argentina have the firepower, the experience and the motivation to win this comfortably, and I expect Messi and Lautaro to find the gaps against a defence that will tire. Cape Verde will dig in and frustrate for a while, but I cannot see them holding out for the full ninety minutes. I am expecting a comfortable Argentine win to nil. My forecast: Argentina 3 Cape Verde 0.

Over 2.5 Goals (1.67)

I am backing over 2.5 goals and my read on this is that Argentina will eventually overwhelm a Cape Verde side that will have to chase the game if it falls behind. The champions averaged well over two goals a game in the group and face a team they should be easily good enough to overwhelm. Once the breakthrough arrives I expect the floodgates to open.