Cape Verde President José Maria Neves has said he believes his nation can beat Argentina 1-0 in their round of 32 clash at the 2026 World Cup, according to ESPN. The African nation made its World Cup debut this year and has advanced to the knockout stages against all odds, earning a third draw against Saudi Arabia to qualify after Uruguay lost to Spain.

Historic Underdogs Set for First Knockout Match

Cape Verde will face reigning champions Argentina in its first-ever World Cup knockout stage match, as reported by sportschau.de; the match is set for July 4 and will take place in Miami. Cape Verde’s journey to the knockout rounds has been nothing short of a miracle, securing a place in the tournament by drawing with Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.

Despite being clear underdogs. Neves is convinced that his country can continue making history. ‘We have a 100% chance to win against Argentina,’ he said in an interview with the BBC. Neves added that when expectations are low and a team has the urge to win, it is possible to achieve the impossible.

Argentina’s Form and Tactical Uncertainties

Argentina, on the other hand, has won all three of their group matches, with Lionel Messi scoring six of their eight goals, according to ESPN; they defeated Austria, Algeria, and Jordan, with Messi leading the charge. The South American side is a clear favorite to advance in a draw that sees them with a favorable path all the way to the semifinals.

Argentina’s coach. Lionel Scaloni. Has not yet finalized his starting lineup, as According to TN, the biggest question remains who will accompany Lionel Messi in attack—Lautaro Martínez or Julián Álvarez. The team will travel to Miami after a final training session in Kansas, with the squad expected to finalize their plans before the match.

Nicolás Tagliafico is set to return to the starting lineup after recovering from an injury, replacing Facundo Medina on the left side of defense, though the team has been training with a focus on maintaining control and dominance in their matches, as stated by Scaloni in a quote from FotMob.

Emotional Triumph for Cape Verde

Cape Verde’s players expressed their emotions after securing a place in the knockout stages; Midfielder Deroy Duarte said, ‘I wanted to cry. It was so emotional. We are a small country, but we have a big heart,’ according to sportschau.de. Duarte added that watching Argentina’s matches on TV in the past was a dream for him, and now it’s becoming a reality.

Argentina has not lost in their last eight World Cup matches, with six wins and two draws, according to FotMob. The team has now extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches under Scaloni, surpassing the previous record of seven under Carlos Salvador Bilardo in 1986.

Neves believes that a small nation like Cape Verde should always strive to surprise people. ‘When expectations are low, and if a team has the urge to win, it is possible,’ he said. The president emphasized that Cape Verde’s journey has been one of perseverance and hope, and the team is ready to continue making history.