Argentina vs Cabo Verde: Prediction, Picks, Lineups & Best Bets

World Cup 2026 Round of 32 · Preview · Messi's Record Chase · Best Bets · FanDuel odds

📖 Match Preview

Argentina have been ruthlessly efficient — three wins from three, with Lionel Scaloni's side sitting second only to France in the tournament's title odds. At the center of everything is Lionel Messi, 39, in his sixth and surely final World Cup, who has done something once thought untouchable this summer: become the outright all-time leading goalscorer in men's World Cup history with 19 career goals, passing Miroslav Klose. He opened with a hat-trick against Algeria, added a brace against Austria to seize the record, then came off the bench to curl in a free-kick against Jordan — six goals this tournament, comfortably leading the Golden Boot race.

Cabo Verde are the story of the tournament regardless of what happens tonight. An archipelago of roughly 525,000 people off the coast of West Africa, they're the smallest nation by population to ever reach a men's World Cup knockout round — and they got there without losing a game, drawing Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in a group nobody expected them to survive. Their 40-year-old, currently-clubless goalkeeper Vozinha has become a global phenomenon in the process, racking up over 17 million Instagram followers after a seven-save masterclass against Spain.

On paper, this isn't close — one outside bookmaker gives Cabo Verde just a 4.8% chance of winning tonight, and Argentina have progressed from four of their last five Round of 16 ties at major tournaments. But Cabo Verde have made a habit of defying the numbers all summer, and their disciplined, deep defensive shape is exactly the kind of puzzle that's occasionally troubled even the best teams in this tournament.

🩺 Team News & Injuries

📋 Predicted Lineups

📊 Key Stats & Head-to-Head

⭐ Best Bets — FanDuel

All odds FanDuel Sportsbook · 3-Way Moneyline (90 min): Argentina -700 / Draw +700 / Cabo Verde +2000 · 2 Up Early Payout: Argentina -750 / Draw +700 / Cabo Verde +1800 · To Qualify (reg+ET+pens): Argentina -1800 / Cabo Verde +1140 · Anytime Goalscorer: Messi -195, Lautaro Martinez -125, Julian Alvarez -125, Almada +185, Enzo Fernandez +250, Mac Allister +340, De Paul +480 · To Score or Assist: Messi -425, Alvarez -230, Lautaro -190, Almada -130, Enzo Fernandez -110 · Player 1+ SOT: Messi -2000, Alvarez -650, Lautaro -500, Almada -185, Enzo Fernandez -170 · First Goalscorer: Messi +195, Alvarez +300, Lautaro +310, Almada +650 · To Score 2+: Messi +230, Alvarez +440, Lautaro +450 · To Score a Hat-Trick: Messi +950, Lautaro +2000, Alvarez +2000 · Correct Score: Argentina 1-0 +650, 0-0 +1700, 0-1 +3500, 2-0 +420, 1-1 +1500, 0-2 +10000, 2-1 +1100, 2-2 +4500, 1-2 +6000, 3-0 +500, 3-1 +1200, 3-2 +5000, 2-3 +22500 · BTTS Yes +176 / No -230 · O/U 1.5: -590 / +410 · O/U 2.5: -168 / +136 · Argentina predicted 4-4-2: E.Martinez; Molina, Romero, L.Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, E.Fernandez, Almada; Messi, Lautaro · Cabo Verde predicted 4-1-4-1: Vozinha; Moreira, Pico, Diney, S.Cabral; Lenini; Mendes, Duarte, Monteiro, J.Cabral; Livramento · No injuries reported for either side · Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens FL · Tonight, Friday July 3, kickoff 6:00 PM ET · FOX/Telemundo · Winner faces Australia/Egypt winner in Round of 16 · Must be 21+ · Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER