Argentina vs Cabo Verde: Will Messi Score 2+ Goals Today?

Full Messi prop board · The new all-time World Cup scoring king · All odds FanDuel

📖 The Case For Messi Scoring 2+ Today

The base rate alone is remarkable: Messi has already gone multi-goal in two of his three group-stage matches this tournament — a hat-trick against Algeria (three goals in just 79 minutes, including a long-range opener, a composed finish, and a curled effort from the edge of the box) and a brace against Austria that made him the outright all-time leading goalscorer in men's World Cup history. His six goals this tournament lead every other player, comfortably ahead of the chasing pack of Mbappé, Haaland and Kane.

The matchup context makes this even more favorable. Cabo Verde are given just a 4.8% win probability by one major bookmaker, and while their defensive discipline has been genuinely impressive against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, none of those sides possess anything close to Messi's individual quality to break down a well-organized low block. He's motivated too — extending his newly-won all-time scoring record and pulling further ahead in the Golden Boot race are exactly the kind of milestones that have brought out his best all tournament.

⚖️ The Case Against

Scaloni has managed Messi's minutes carefully throughout this tournament — he played just 79 minutes against Algeria and only 31 minutes off the bench against Jordan once the group was already won. With Argentina heavy favorites and little at stake beyond seeding, there's a real chance he's substituted early again if the game is comfortably in hand, capping his window to find a second goal. Cabo Verde's defense has also been legitimately excellent, not just fortunate — a scoreless draw against Spain and a goalkeeper in Vozinha who made seven saves in that same match. At 39 (and in what's widely expected to be his final World Cup), there's also the simple reality that a second consecutive multi-goal knockout-adjacent performance is asking a lot, even of the greatest player of his generation.

📋 Lionel Messi — Full Prop Board (FanDuel)

⭐ Best Messi Prop Bets — Ranked

All odds FanDuel Sportsbook · Lionel Messi: anytime goalscorer -195 (90 min) / -220 (incl. ET) · to score 2+ goals +230 (90 min) / +220 (incl. ET) · to score a hat-trick +950 (90 min) / +900 (incl. ET) · first goalscorer +195 · to score or assist -425 · 1+ shots on target -2000 · Messi is now the all-time leading men's World Cup goalscorer with 19 career goals, passing Miroslav Klose (16) · Leads this tournament with 6 goals: hat-trick vs Algeria, brace vs Austria, free-kick vs Jordan · Went multi-goal in 2 of 3 group games · Cabo Verde unbeaten through 3 draws (0-0 Spain, 2-2 Uruguay, 0-0 Saudi Arabia) but given a 4.8% win probability today · Goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, made 7 saves vs Spain · Argentina -1800 to advance · Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens FL · Today, 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