Argentina vs Cape Verde LIVE: Team news and latest updates as Messi expected to start – UK Times

And the story of Portugal’s dramatic win over Croatia…

Then they trailed and Martinez showed a decisiveness he is often accused of lacking. A quadruple change altered the momentum, the World Cup. One of the arrivals, Goncalo Ramos, was to prove the man who did something many an opponent has failed to accomplish in the last two World Cups and finish off Croatia.

But Martinez’s later, and final, change was his most instructive, perhaps his most influential.

Some of the big news from yesterday as Spain laid down the gauntlet to other sides in the competition…

While all the big-hitters around them experience a glut of goals and drama, depending on which way you glance, Spain continue their methodical and altogether stress-free path to the latter stages of the World Cup. Sure, they are lacking France’s all-out firepower. Sure, they are lacking a leading talisman in Argentina’s Lionel Messi or England’s Harry Kane. But as a cohesive unit, ticking over possession and grounding their opposition into submission, there is still no collective, well-rounded team better at this World Cup 2026 than La Roja.

In Los Angeles on Thursday, they made a statement. Across the board, the Spanish had too much suave and poise for an Austrian outfit who, after their incredible stoppage-time equaliser against Algeria last Saturday, had run out of steam. For Mikel Oyarzabal, there was another World Cup brace to back up his tally against Saudi Arabia as he ruthlessly capitalised on two pinpoint crosses from Marc Cucurella. In between those goals came a first international goal for Tottenham’s Pedro Porro, who took advantage of his starting pick ahead of Marcos Llorente. A tougher test lies in wait in the last 16, mind: either Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal or Luka Modric’s Croatia in Dallas on Monday.

Not to be outdone, Mbappe has been in excellent scoring touch and a brace against Sweden propelled France to a 3-0 victory and a spot in the last-16 as he once again thrives on the biggest stage. It also sends him above Messi in the standings though they are level on goals scored.

Argentina vs Cape Verde is due to kick off at 11pm BST on Friday 3 July at Miami Stadium.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 10.15pm BST. A live stream will be available via ITVX.

Possible Argentina XI: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Messi, La. Martinez, Almada.

Possible Cape Verde XI: Vozinha; Moreira, Pico, Diney, S. Cabral; Lenini; Mendes, Duarte, Monteiro, J. Cabral; Livramento.

Telmo Arcanjo missed Cape Verde’s last game against Saudi Arabia and is again a doubt.

Argentina rested much of their regular starting side for the win over Jordan, with Lionel Messi among those primed for a return. The No 10 registered off the bench in that game to take his tally for the tournament to six, and in World Cups overall to 19.

Argentina continue their chase for back-to-back World Cup crowns as they face impressive debutants Cape Verde in the round of 32.

The defending champions eased into the knockout rounds with captain Lionel Messi making history in Group J to top the goalscoring charts both at this tournament and all-time at the World Cup.

They may expect a simple enough task as they look to reach the last 16 but Cape Verde have shown their defensive steel at this tournament.

Three draws against Spain, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay were a strong return and enough to advance in second from Group H – can they cause an almighty shock here?

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of tonight’s World Cup last-32 match between Argentina and Cape Verde.

The defending champions are looking to take another step towards winning back-to-back World Cups, while the African side are looking to continue their historic summer with a result that would be among the most famous in football history.

Wr’ll have all the latest team news and build-up right here.