Argentina vs Cape Verde

Argentina failed to win their opening match at each of the last two World Cups — drawing 1-1 with Iceland in 2018 and losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in 2022 — yet reached the final in both tournaments and won the title in 2022.

Argentina enter the 2026 World Cup unbeaten in their last six World Cup matches (4W-2D) and having scored in each of those games.

Argentina are unbeaten in their last 7 World Cup matches against African teams (7W-0D).

Argentina have won their last 10 fixtures (including friendlies), going 10W-0D-0L with 29 goals scored and 2 goals conceded.

Lionel Messi is Argentina's top scorer at this World Cup so far, with 6 goals.

Lionel Messi has scored in all 3 of Argentina's matches so far at this World Cup.

Argentina have won 7 of their 8 World Cup matches against African teams (7W-0D-1L).

Argentina have scored in each of their last 7 World Cup matches against African teams.

Argentina are unbeaten in their 7 fixtures (including friendlies) played in 2026 (7W-0D-0L).

Argentina have won 10 of their last 11 fixtures (including friendlies), with their only exception a defeat against Ecuador.

Argentina have won their last 3 World Cup matches, going 3W-0D-0L with 8 goals scored and 1 goal conceded.

Argentina are unbeaten in their last 9 World Cup matches, going 7W-2D-0L with 21 goals scored and 6 goals conceded. A repeat in their next match would equal their longest such run in World Cup history.

Argentina have scored in each of their last 12 World Cup matches, going 8W-2D-2L with 27 goals scored and 13 goals conceded. A repeat in their next match would be their longest such run in World Cup history.

Argentina's all-time World Cup knockout-stage record: 13W-7D-9L.

Argentina went unbeaten through the group stage (3W-0D-0L).

Argentina have scored in the last 15 minutes in each of their last 3 World Cup matches.

Argentina are one of 10 teams to have made 9 changes to their starting XI between their last two matches at this World Cup.

This is Cape Verde's first-ever World Cup knockout-stage appearance.

Cape Verde went unbeaten through the group stage (0W-3D-0L).

Cape Verde are unbeaten in their last 6 fixtures (including friendlies), going 2W-4D-0L with 9 goals scored and 3 goals conceded.

Both Argentina and Cape Verde enter this match unbeaten in the 2026 group stage.

Argentina and Cape Verde have never met at a World Cup before — this is their first meeting.