Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni hailed his team's resilience after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Cabo Verde in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, held in Miami, US, on July 3. The defending champions, led by Lionel Messi, secured their spot in the Round of 16, where they will face Egypt.
Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, but Cabo Verde equalized through Deroy Duarte just after the hour mark. Cabo Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha made several crucial saves to keep Argentina at bay. Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina's lead in the 92nd minute, only for Sidny Lopes to level again. An own goal by Diney Borges in the 111th minute finally gave Argentina the win.
Scaloni's Praise for Both Teams
Speaking after the match, Scaloni said, "A really tough match, you always have to focus on the positives. This team never gives up. And I have to give credit to our opponents—the truth is, when people say there is no such thing as an easy opponent, today [Cabo Verde] proved they are a great team." He added, "I will take away the contribution from everyone. The truth is, everyone finished really tired, because they gave it their all. This is Argentina—if you do not understand that... it is hard... we Argentines will understand it, because nothing comes easy."
Scaloni acknowledged that his team faced challenges but responded well. "You can always improve, but it is important that the team responded in the tough moments. We always aim for the opponent's goal. We play with heart. Everyone thought it was going to be a walk in the park, but we knew very well it was not," he said.
Scaloni's 100th Game in Charge
The match marked Scaloni's 100th game as Argentina head coach since taking over in 2018. Under his tenure, Argentina has won 73 matches, lost nine, and drawn 18, with major titles including the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Copa America 2021, and Copa America 2024. Scaloni emphasized the need for improvement despite the win, stating, "We can debate whether we played well or poorly, but this team is not weighed down by taking charge of the match."
Cabo Verde's performance earned widespread respect, with Scaloni noting that they proved to be a formidable opponent. Argentina will now prepare for their Round of 16 clash against Egypt, aiming to defend their World Cup title.
