Argentina is not perfect. Lionel Messi details problems after tough win vs Cape Verde

Defending champions Argentina are not perfect and that was evident in their round of 32 match against Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Lionel Messi’s side – ranked No. 2 in the world – were held to a 1-1 draw in regulation time by the smallest nation ever to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup.

It wasn’t like Argentina wasted a number of chances. They were rarely smelled. Cape Verde’s resolute defense did their best to silence the likes of Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez. And whenever they did break through, Argentina’s forwards were met by an inspired Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper standing tall between the posts.

Argentina had to suffer for 120 minutes in the steamy humidity in Miami before eventually overcoming Cape Verde 3-2 to qualify for the round of 16. But the match also revealed some chinks in the defending champions’ armor.

Argentina vs Cape Verde, FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights

Right-back Nahuel Molina endured a tough outing both defensively and forward. Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopez Cabral repeatedly targeted that wing and eventually scored a superb curling performance that could rank among the best goals of the tournament.

Argentina’s attack also looked toothless once Messi was heavily marked and forced to drop deep into midfield. On several occasions, the captain was visibly frustrated when Alexis Mac Allister failed to place the ball cleanly on the edge of the box, allowing the Cape Verdean defense to snuff out promising attacks.

After the match, Messi praised the Cape Verdeans for their disciplined performance and admitted that Argentina expected a tough game.

“Honestly, we knew in advance that the match would be extremely difficult. And it is no coincidence that this national team did not lose to Spain or Uruguay,” Messi said.

The legendary forward finally broke the deadlock with a stunning first touch inside the box before finishing past Vozinha at the near post. Defender Lisandro Martinez was largely responsible for the goal, whose thumb-perfect long pass with his left foot caught Messi’s shot.

“We managed to achieve the most difficult thing when we scored the first goal and we thought it would help us impose our style of play and play with more composure, but the opposite happened,” Messi said.

MESSI DETAILS ON ARGENTINA’S PROBLEMS

But after Argentina took the lead, they lost control of the game. According to Messi, the team became too relaxed in possession, giving the ball away cheaply and gradually retreating deeper into their own half. Without the ball, Argentina also failed to press with the usual intensity that has become a hallmark of Lionel Scaloni’s side.

This lack of urgency combined with free play eventually led to Cape Verde’s equaliser, which came after another attack on Argentina’s vulnerable right wing.

“They used their weapon and scored. We knew this task would be complicated,” Messi said.

NOBODY GIVES FREE WINNING

But Messi insisted Argentina never expected an easy passage against Cape Verde and pointed to the increasingly fine edges that have defined this World Cup. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner dismissed any notion that football’s smaller nations could be taken lightly, saying the knockout stages leave no room for complacency.

“These are knockout games and nobody gives you anything for free. Some may underestimate the national teams because of their names, but we knew it would not be an easy game at all,” Messi said.

The Argentina captain added that the competitiveness of the entire tournament made every game a battle, regardless of the opponent.

“And that’s what makes this World Cup special; everything is so close and all the matches are extremely difficult.”

POSITIVES FROM THE CAPE VERDE GAME?

Messi also praised his team’s resilience after surviving a grueling 120-minute match in the heat in Miami, saying Argentina had found a way to progress despite not playing their best football.

“We put in a huge effort as usual, whether we played well or didn’t deliver at our best.

Argentina will now turn their attention to the round of 16, with Messi urging the team to bounce back quickly and build on the positives from their hard-fought win.

“Now the most important thing is to rest, think about the next game and try to draw positive aspects from today’s encounter,” concluded Messi.

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Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

04 Jul 2026 09:13 IST