Argentina vs Cape Verde: Top five players to watch out for in FIFA World Cup 2026 clash ft. Lautaro Martinez & Dailon Livramento

Messi’s Argentina eye big win over unbeaten debutants Cape Verde.

Miami Stadium (Hard Rock Stadium) in Florida, United States of America, gears up to host the Round of 32 fixtures of the FIFA World Cup 2026, where reigning world champions Argentina and African debutants Cape Verde lock horns in what is set to be a thrilling contest.

La Albiceleste were one of the very few teams to win every single game in their group stage campaign. They got the better of Algeria, Austria and debutants Jordan to finish atop Group J with a perfect 100% win record, scoring eight goals and conceding just one in the process.

Cape Verde’s qualification in FIFA World Cup is itself a fairytale story but the African players went on to shock the world, remaining unbeaten against two former world champions Spain and Uruguay before holding Asian giants Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw to finish second in Group H.

On football’s grandest stage, ninety minutes can transform great players into national heroes. This highly anticipated showdown promises a tactical war, but the outcome rests on the boots of a few special individuals. In this article, we shall take a look at the top five players to keep an eye on.

5. Lautaro Martínez (Argentina)

The Bahia Blanca striker has been a pivotal figure in Argentina’s dominance in world football. From breaking records in Serie A and UEFA Champions League with Inter Milan to being an absolute beast after donning the Argentinian jersey, he has been an asset for both club and country.

Though Messi accounts for 75% of the goals Argentina has scored, it is very difficult to stop Lautaro once he gets going. The Argentinian striker scored in the last game against Jordan and must aspire to find the back of the net as early as possible in the next game.

4. Dailon Livramento (Cape Verde)

The Rotterdam-born striker has been in top form for Cape Verde in the CAF World Cup qualifiers. It was never easy for a debutant nation to get the better of strong African teams like Nigeria and Cameroon in the gruesome qualifiers, but the Dutch born striker unleashed his beast.

He plays for Hella Verona in the Italian top flight and is coming after a productive loan spell at Casa Pia in the Portuguese domestic league. He is yet to score a goal so far and will be keen to go all guns blazing against world champions Argentina, as they eye the biggest upset in the FIFA World Cup.

3. Cristian Romero (Argentina)

The undisputed defensive heartbeat of Argentina’s backline, Romero will be back in the starting lineup after being rested in the last game against Jordan after Argentina secured early qualification with two wins over Algeria and Austria. In both the games, he started, Argentina kept clean sheets.

Though it is unlikely that Romero will face a lot of attacks in the last game. However, Cape Verde are excellent in counter-attacking moments, and their transitional burst and acceleration are top class. Romero must neutralise any threat from Livramento in the next game.

2. Vozinha (Cape Verde)

Josimar Jose Evora Dias, also referred to as Vozinha, is enjoying the time of his life. But now the 40-year-old custodian from Mindelo has become a folk hero in Africa. Vozinha’s heroics single-handedly carried Cape Verde to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The Chaves goalkeeper has kept two clean sheets so far and will be keen to pull out his best performance against Argentina to even think of pulling out a potential upset against world champions Argentina in the Round of 32 fixture.

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Eyeing to win back-to-back World Cups, captain Lionel Messi is in sublime form, having scored six out of eight goals for Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Arguably the greatest player to ever play this beautiful game of football, Lionel Messi, the little boy from Rosario, at 39, even in his final few days as a football player, is one of the top contenders to win the Golden Boot and smash record after record in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Messi has now surpassed Miroslav Klose to become the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history. He set a tournament record by scoring in seven consecutive FIFA World Cup matches. He will be a delight to watch in the next game as Argentina look forward to advance to Round of 16.

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