Dugout Discussion

Argentina v Cape Verde team news: Starts for Messi, Medina + Molina

3 July 2026 151 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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In the Round of 32’s penultimate match, current World Cup holders Argentina meet the unbeaten underdogs who were Group H runners-up, Cape Verde.

Kick-off in Miami is at 23:00 BST.

TEAM NEWS

Lionel Messi is back in the lineup, as are names like Facundo Medina, Lisandro Martinez, Julian Alvarez and Nahuel Molina.

Having made nine changes for the Jordan clash, Lionel Scaloni does the same here. Only Emiliano Martinez and Lautaro Martinez keep their places.

Meanwhile, their opponents switch five elements of their 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia. Steven Moreira, Sidny Cabral, Laros Duarte, Jovane Cabral and Nuno da Costa are replacing Wagner Pina, João Paulo, Jamiro Monteiro, Willy Semedo and Dailon Livramento.

LINE-UPS

Argentina XI: E Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Medina; Mac Allister, Fernández, De Paul; Messi, Lautaro Martínez, Almada

Subs: Musso, Rulli, Senesi, Tagliafico, Montiel, Otamendi, Paredes, Barco, Lo Celso, Palacios, Alvarez, N Gonzalez, Simeone, Paz, Lopez

Cape Verde XI: Vozinha; Moreira, Pico, Diney, S Cabral; Mendes, D Duarte, Pina, L Duarte, J Cabral; da Costa

Subs: da Rosa, dos Santos, Stopira, Costa, W Pina, Pires, Joao Paulo, Monteiro, Y Semedo, Arcanjo, Benchimol, Rodrigues, W Semedo, Livramento, Varela

FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

151 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. jacob1989
    • 4 Years
    1 month, 28 days ago

    Epic epic game. This is a world cup classic

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  2. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 28 days ago

    Match over.

    Argentina beats Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time and advance to R16 where they'll face Egypt

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    1. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 28 days ago

      Great effort from Cape Verde, but it was just not enough.

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      1. jacob1989
        • 4 Years
        1 month, 28 days ago

        I really thought it will go to penalties

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  3. Mozumbus
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 28 days ago

    The must grueling game of the tournament so far

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  4. Mozumbus
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 28 days ago

    127 with Munoz to go
    With Qualification booster

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  5. jacob1989
    • 4 Years
    1 month, 28 days ago

    If cape Verde can do this, egypt can too!

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  6. NZREDS
    • 13 Years
    1 month, 28 days ago

    Props to CV - great story!

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  7. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 28 days ago

    Colombia

    GK C. Vargas
    DL Johan Mojica
    DC D. Sanchez
    DC Jhon Lucumi
    DR Daniel Munoz
    MC G. Puerta
    MC J. Lerma
    MC Jhon Arias
    AMC J. Rodriguez
    AMC Luis Diaz
    FW Jhon Cordoba

    Ghana

    GK L. Ati-Zigi
    DL G. Mensah
    DC Jerome Opoku
    DC D. Luckassen
    DR M. Senaya
    DMC T. Partey
    ML A. Semenyo
    MC Kwasi Sibo
    MC C. Yirenkyi
    MR I. Williams
    FW Jordan Ayew

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  8. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 9 Years
    1 month, 28 days ago

    Wow one of the best games I ever watched. 2nd cape verde the best unreal unexpected goals ever

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    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 28 days ago

      Absolutely! Surely goal of this world cup!

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  9. GreennRed
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 28 days ago

    Romero should have had 6 yelliw cards, at least! Pops up with the winner or assust for it. Gotta hate and respect him at the same time.

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    1. jacob1989
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 28 days ago

      The corner by the genius.. at end messi was the difference.. no messi abd argentina would have been knocked out

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    2. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 28 days ago

      Right! Ref was too lenient.

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  10. Pep Roulette
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 28 days ago

    Which one would you sell to get Hakimi?

    This is my GK & defence

    Martinez Pickford
    Martinez Cucurella Dest O'Reilly Munoz

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    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 28 days ago

      Assuming Colombia wins, Martinez.

      I'm not confident about the Argentine defense anymore.

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      1. Pep Roulette
        • 8 Years
        1 month, 28 days ago

        Even with his goal and assist today. Plays Egypt.

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        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 14 Years
          1 month, 28 days ago

          Yeah, the Egypt attack isn't great.

          But does he have a good goalscoring record for Argentina?

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    2. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 28 days ago

      O'Reilly

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    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 9 Years
      1 month, 28 days ago

      Oreilly

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  11. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 9 Years
    1 month, 28 days ago

    Now final pick

    Would you guys play Luis diaz over a 8 pointer. Qualification booster on?

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    1. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 28 days ago

      Tough. I wouldn't.

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  12. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 28 days ago

    Last chance to use your bench this round. Don't forget to sub in your Colombian players.

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