Argentina cruised into the World Cup round of 16 with a resounding 5-0 victory over Cape Verde in the last 32 on Saturday. Lionel Messi scored twice, leading the defending champions to a dominant performance at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
Messi Shines as Argentina Dominates
The match was effectively over by halftime, with Argentina leading 3-0. Messi opened the scoring in the 12th minute, curling a free-kick into the top corner. He doubled the lead in the 28th minute, finishing a team move with a clinical left-footed strike. Lautaro Martinez added a third just before the break, heading in from a corner.
Cape Verde, making their first appearance in the knockout stages, struggled to contain Argentina's attacking prowess. The African side had reached the last 32 after a surprise second-place finish in their group, but they were outclassed from the start.
Second-Half Surge Seals Victory
Argentina continued to press after the interval. Julian Alvarez made it 4-0 in the 55th minute, slotting home after a defensive error. Substitute Paulo Dybala completed the scoring in the 78th minute with a long-range effort that beat the Cape Verdean goalkeeper.
According to manager Lionel Scaloni, the team executed their game plan perfectly. “We knew Cape Verde would be dangerous on the counter, but we controlled the tempo and took our chances,” he said. “Messi was exceptional, as always.”
Statistics and Impact
Argentina had 72% possession and registered 18 shots, with 10 on target. Cape Verde managed only two shots, none on goal. The victory extends Argentina's unbeaten run to 14 matches in all competitions. They will face the winner of the Netherlands vs. Senegal tie in the quarterfinals.
The result was a stark contrast to Cape Verde's earlier performances. “We are proud of our journey, but today we met a superior team,” said Cape Verde coach Bubista. “Argentina are world champions for a reason.”
