Cape Verde's stunning debut World Cup appearance looks set to be ended by defending champions Argentina in the last 32.
Argentina sailed through their group with three wins and should now progress to the last 16 by knocking out the tiny African island nation.
Cape Verde have arguably been the story of the tournament so far, defying expectations to sensationally progress to the World Cup knockout stage themselves with three draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
Argentina vs. Cape Verde betting picks and predictions
Argentina to win to nil (-175)
Argentina are unsurprisingly short-price favorites to progress from this tie as they aim to become just the third country to ever win back-to-back World Cups.
Their 2022 triumph in Qatar was a slow-burning success as they recovered from a shock opening group defeat to Saudi Arabia to eventually see off a very talented France side in the final on penalties.
This time around, though, the South American giants have looked sharp from the off and have easily seen off Algeria, Austria and Jordan to set up this clash with minnows Cape Verde.
Lionel Messi has been the star, scoring six times, and the Inter Miami ace should feel at home against Cape Verde with this clash being staged at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Lionel Scaloni's side are on a 10-game winning run and during that time they have kept eight clean sheets so another victory without conceding looks a good play as they go up against a side clearly vastly inferior to them.
Cape Verde stunned Spain in their opening game, defending superbly to draw 0-0, before they claimed a sensational 2-2 draw with Uruguay.
A final Group H goalless draw with Saudi Arabia sealed their last-32 place but now they face a huge examination up against the defending world champions.
Cape Verde will attempt to pull off another defensive masterclass but keeping Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez quiet is a difficult task.
Expect Argentina to dominate and another win to nil looms for one of the outright favorites for glory this summer.
Lionel Messi to score 2 or more goals (+240)
Messi has been magical and in the familiar surroundings of Miami the 39-year-old can once again inspire his nation in the last 32.
In a tournament where the world's best forwards have all come to the party, Messi knows he has a scrap on his hands for the Golden Boot but the former Barcelona star looks well in the mood to finish above his peers.
He has six goals from three games, including a hat-trick against Algeria and a double versus Austria, while he even got on the scoresheet after coming on in the second half against Jordan.
This is probably his last World Cup and Messi appears destined to finish on a real high, making more headlines along the way.
Over 3.5 goals (+138)
Argentina have scored eight goals in three games and up against opposition who may find themselves totally out of their depth, La Albiceleste could easily add plenty more to their tally.
Cape Verde's run to the last 32 has been built on a brilliant defence but up against Argentina they look set to crumble, with an early goal likely to signal a comfortable win for the South Americans.
The creativity and firepower available to Scaloni is scary and it would not be a surprise to see at least four goals in Miami.
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Argentina vs. Cape Verde odds
Argentina | -700 |
Tie | +700 |
Cape Verde | +1800 |
Argentina vs. Cape Verde player props
Anytime goalscorer
Lionel Messi (Argentina) | -200 |
Lautaro Martinez (Argentina) | -138 |
Julian Alvarez (Argentina) | -110 |
Thiago Almada (Argentina) | +188 |
Enzo Fernandez (Argentina) | +260 |
Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) | +333 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
