Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has urged his players to remain fully focused and avoid underestimating Cape Verde ahead of their upcoming World Cup encounter, describing the African side as one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
Speaking ahead of the match, Scaloni praised Cape Verde’s performances at the competition, noting that they have already proven capable of troubling some of the tournament’s strongest teams.
According to the Argentina manager, Cape Verde have consistently shown quality, speed, and determination in their matches, making them a dangerous opponent despite not being among the traditional football powerhouses.
“Cape Verde are a good team, which has made things difficult for its three opponents at the World Cup,” Scaloni said. “They are a tough opposition and will make things difficult for us because they have already done it against Spain, one of the favourites, as well as Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.”
Cape Verde have attracted attention during the tournament with their disciplined performances and fearless approach against higher-ranked opponents.
Their displays have earned praise from football fans and analysts, with many viewing them as one of the competition’s standout teams.
Scaloni acknowledged that the World Cup has produced several unexpected results, a reminder that no team can be taken lightly at this stage of the tournament.
“For the things we are seeing in this World Cup, we have to be careful,” he added. “It is a fast, quality and good team.”
Argentina, one of the favourites to win the tournament, will be aiming to continue its progress, but Scaloni’s comments suggest his side is preparing for a difficult challenge.
The South American giants are expected to rely on their experience and attacking strength, while Cape Verde will be hoping to cause another upset and continue their impressive run.
