Argentina take on Cape Verde in the round of 32 at the World Cup tonight, with the holders looking to take another step towards defending the trophy they won in Qatar in 2022.
Lionel Messi and co. look in fine form as they continue their bid to win back-to-back World Cups, with the Albiceleste’s talisman having scored six goals in just three games to begin his 2026 campaign.
As for Cape Verde, Bubista’s side have exceeded all expectations in finishing second in Group H and securing a spot in the last 32, and they can make life difficult for the best teams, as shown with their draw to Spain in their opening game.
The winner of this tie will face either Australia or Egypt in the last 16 in Atlanta on Tuesday, 7 July.
Follow all of the latest from the World Cup clash with our live blog below:
World Cup results
Here’s the full list of results from the round of 32 so far then:
Germany 1-1 Paraguay (3-4 pens.)
Netherlands 1-1 Morocco (2-3 pens.)
Ronaldo’s tears, Martinez’s choice and Modric’s ending: Inside Portugal v Croatia, a World Cup epic
And the story of Portugal’s dramatic win over Croatia…
Belatedly, Roberto Martinez was stirred out of his slumber. A manager who can look smilingly passive was facing the end: of Portugal’s World Cup, perhaps of his reign, too. Portugal’s perplexing first half had brought 69 per cent of possession and a lone shot on target.
Then they trailed and Martinez showed a decisiveness he is often accused of lacking. A quadruple change altered the momentum, the World Cup. One of the arrivals, Goncalo Ramos, was to prove the man who did something many an opponent has failed to accomplish in the last two World Cups and finish off Croatia.
But Martinez’s later, and final, change was his most instructive, perhaps his most influential.
Ronaldo’s tears, Martinez’s choice and Modric’s ending: Inside a World Cup epic
One of the most-dramatic games in World Cup history ended with Ronaldo – who had scored and finally been substituted – paying tribute to his late teammate Diogo JotaChris Wilson3 July 2026 20:52
Are you watching, France? Spain breeze past Austria – and this is why they’re peaking at just the right time
Some of the big news from yesterday as Spain laid down the gauntlet to other sides in the competition…
While all the big-hitters around them experience a glut of goals and drama, depending on which way you glance, Spain continue their methodical and altogether stress-free path to the latter stages of the World Cup. Sure, they are lacking France’s all-out firepower. Sure, they are lacking a leading talisman in Argentina’s Lionel Messi or England’s Harry Kane. But as a cohesive unit, ticking over possession and grounding their opposition into submission, there is still no collective, well-rounded team better at this World Cup 2026 than La Roja.
In Los Angeles on Thursday, they made a statement. Across the board, the Spanish had too much suave and poise for an Austrian outfit who, after their incredible stoppage-time equaliser against Algeria last Saturday, had run out of steam. For Mikel Oyarzabal, there was another World Cup brace to back up his tally against Saudi Arabia as he ruthlessly capitalised on two pinpoint crosses from Marc Cucurella. In between those goals came a first international goal for Tottenham’s Pedro Porro, who took advantage of his starting pick ahead of Marcos Llorente. A tougher test lies in wait in the last 16, mind: either Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal or Luka Modric’s Croatia in Dallas on Monday.
Are you watching, France? This is why Spain are peaking at just the right time
Spain 3-0 Austria: Mikel Oyarzabal’s double and a first international goal for Pedro Porro secured a comfortable passage to the last 16 for the Spanish. And next up? Either Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal or Luka Modric’s CroatiaChris Wilson3 July 2026 20:41
World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Mbappe vs Messi standings as Kane joins thrilling race to finish top scorer
The race for the golden boot at the World Cup is hurtling towards an epic contest during the knockout stage as Kylian Mbappe reined in Lionel Messi at the top of the standings with Vinicius Jr and Erling Haalandalso very much in the race.
The stars continue to dominate at this tournament, none more so than Messi after backing up a hat-trick against Algeria with a double against Austria to highlight one of his greatest traits after a penalty miss. Another arrived off the bench against Jordan – inevitably.
Not to be outdone, Mbappe has been in excellent scoring touch and a brace against Sweden propelled France to a 3-0 victory and a spot in the last-16 as he once again thrives on the biggest stage. It also sends him above Messi in the standings though they are level on goals scored.
World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Mbappe, Messi, Haaland, Kane top standings in race
Mbappe moved level with Messi for goals scored at the top of the standings after Haaland netted to send Norway past Ivory Coast and into the last 16 Chris Wilson3 July 2026 20:30
When is Argentina vs Cape Verde?
Argentina vs Cape Verde is due to kick off at 11pm BST on Friday 3 July at Miami Stadium.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 10.15pm BST. A live stream will be available via ITVX.
Predicted line-ups
Possible Argentina XI: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Messi, La. Martinez, Almada.
Possible Cape Verde XI: Vozinha; Moreira, Pico, Diney, S. Cabral; Lenini; Mendes, Duarte, Monteiro, J. Cabral; Livramento.
Team news
Telmo Arcanjo missed Cape Verde’s last game against Saudi Arabia and is again a doubt.
Team news
Argentina rested much of their regular starting side for the win over Jordan, with Lionel Messi among those primed for a return. The No 10 registered off the bench in that game to take his tally for the tournament to six, and in World Cups overall to 19.
Argentina vs Cape Verde LIVE
Argentina continue their chase for back-to-back World Cup crowns as they face impressive debutants Cape Verde in the round of 32.
The defending champions eased into the knockout rounds with captain Lionel Messi making history in Group J to top the goalscoring charts both at this tournament and all-time at the World Cup.
They may expect a simple enough task as they look to reach the last 16 but Cape Verde have shown their defensive steel at this tournament.
Three draws against Spain, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay were a strong return and enough to advance in second from Group H – can they cause an almighty shock here?
Chris Wilson3 July 2026 20:03NewerOlder