ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has warned his players not to underestimate Cape Verde national football team ahead of their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 encounter.

The reigning world champions will face the African debutants after Cape Verde made history by becoming the smallest nation by population to qualify for the knockout stage of a men’s FIFA World Cup.

Few observers expected Cape Verde to progress when they were drawn into a challenging Group H alongside Spain national football team, Uruguay national football team and Saudi Arabia national football team.

However, the tournament newcomers exceeded expectations with a series of determined performances, earning three consecutive draws to secure qualification.

A goalless draw against Spain, followed by an entertaining 2-2 stalemate with Uruguay and another draw against Saudi Arabia, was enough to see Cape Verde finish as runners-up in the group and book a place in the knockout rounds.

Meanwhile, Argentina national football team, inspired by captain Lionel Messi, topped Group J after an impressive group-stage campaign and head into the match as overwhelming favourites.

Despite Argentina’s status, Scaloni insisted that his players must approach the fixture with complete focus and respect for their opponents.

Speaking after Argentina’s victory over Jordan national football team, the coach praised Cape Verde’s organisation, discipline and resilience throughout the tournament.

“On Cape Verde, I’m not surprised they qualified. They made things very difficult for every opponent they faced. They are a tough team and they’ll make life difficult for us,” Scaloni said.

“They frustrated Spain, one of the tournament favourites. Uruguay couldn’t beat them, and neither could Saudi Arabia.”

Scaloni’s comments reflect Argentina’s determination to avoid complacency as they continue their quest to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title against a Cape Verde side that has already emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest surprise packages.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Morocco defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shoot-out to advance to the last 16 of the World cup on Monday after a thrilling battle in Monterrey finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the crucial save to block the Netherlands’ fifth penalty from Crysencio Summerville before striker Ismael Saibari stepped up to blast home the winning spot-kick that sealed a 3-2 shootout win.

The victory sends Morocco into a last-16 clash with Canada in Houston on Saturday.

An enthralling match had gone to extra time after Issa Diop had glanced in a dramatic equaliser for Morocco in the first minute of stoppage time as the Netherlands closed in on victory.

The Dutch had taken the lead midway through the second half with a goal from Cody Gakpo, playing just days after his partner had confirmed the death of the couple’s unborn son.

Liverpool forward Gakpo sank to the turf and appeared overcome with emotion as he was surrounded by team-mates in a prolonged group embrace.

But Morocco forced extra time when an unmarked Diop headed home from substitute Chemsdine Talbi’s cross in injury time.

Morocco had created the better chances of a fractious encounter, which saw players from both sides flying into tackles to test the patience of Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio.

The Atlas Lions almost took the lead on 20 minutes when Neil al-Aynaoui glanced an Achraf Hakimi corner goalwards only to be denied by a superb reflex save from Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

Verbruggen was pressed into action moments later, this time doing well to tip a vicious strike from Hakimi over the bar.

The fierce nature of the contest was on full display midway through the half when Saibari was lucky to escape sanction after elbowing Jan Paul van Hecke in the face.

The Dutch continued to enjoy plenty of possession but were unable to convert it into goalscoring chances.

Their best effort came on 44 minutes when Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven uncorked a ferocious shot from the edge of the area that was tipped over by Bounou.

Van Hecke continued to find himself in the thick of the action, and after bloodying his head in a collision in the penalty area, made his presence felt with a crunching tackle that upended el-Aynaoui just before half-time.

As the half ended, Saibari just failed to connect with a cross that flashed across the Dutch goal before going behind.

The drama continued into an end-to-end second half, but appeared to have tilted in the Netherlands’ favour when coach Ronald Koeman brought on forward Wout Weghorst in a flurry of substitutions after the hydration break.

Weghorst made an immediate impact, flicking on a long ball to send Summerville bearing in on goal. Summerville crossed to Gakpo, who hurled himself at the ball to score.

The Netherlands, superbly marshalled by Gakpo’s Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk, appeared to be heading for victory but Diop’s late header sent it to extra-time.

Morocco looked to have made the breakthrough when Soufiane Rahimi went through on goal in the 96th minute, only to be denied by a jaw-dropping save from Verbruggen.

The Netherlands held on for penalties, but despite Morocco missing their first when El-Aynaoui hit the bar, the North Africans recovered to win.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Germany forward, Kai Havertz, has lamented his country’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup in the hands of Paraguay.

Havertz was one of the three players to miss a penalty, as they lost 4-3 in the shoot-out, after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time.

Julio Enciso opened the scoring in the last-32 fixture, before Havertz headed in the equalizer.

The Arsenal man stepped up for the first penalty kick and saw his effort saved comfortably.

Nick Woltemade’s effort was also saved, before Jonathan Tah blazed over.

I’m speechless. My second World Cup, and we’ve messed up for the second time,” Havertz told reporters.

“The last few tournaments were a disaster. The only thing I can say is I’m sorry.

“We players need to take a long, hard look at ourselves. We’re playing for a huge country with a rich football history.”