Lionel Messi and Lisandro Martínez scored for Argentina in their 3-2 win against Cabo Verde at the World Cup.
Messi and Lisandro both scored for Argentina with an own goal by Cabo Verde for Argentina in their win. With the score at 0-0, Lisandro Martínez played a cross into the penalty area which found Messi and he scored from close range to give Argentina the 1-0 lead.
At 1-0, Deroy Duarte scored to draw Cabo Verde level. The match would go to extra time.
In extra time, Argentina were awarded a corner kick. Messi took the free kick, Alexis Mac Allister would get a touch on it and the ball would fall to Lisandro Martínez who scored to give Argentina the 2-1 lead.
Sidny Lopes Cabral of Cabo Verde would receive the ball out wide and he would score from the edge of the penalty area to draw Cabo Verde level.
With the score at 2-2, Argentina were awarded a corner kick. Messi would take it and Cristian Romero’s effort on goal took a deflection off Diney and he scored an own goal.
Argentina would hang on to get the 3-2 win and they will play Egypt in the Round of 16 of the World Cup on Tuesday.
I don’t know why after every time we score, we just slow things down.. there’s no sense of urgency trying to kill the game for good. Today we almost pay the ultimate price. Why can’t we just try to have at least a 2 goal lead???? What is this tactics???
It’s better to play intensely in 90min, than to drag everything to 120min
If this is the game to rip up the playbook and start afresh, I’ve had one game plan in mind since the start of the tournament to balance us out.
Right now we play with no runners nor wingers. There’s no pace in this team and the width is from the full backs who are currently a CB in Medina (who hasn’t been bad) and Molina who’s no longer the RWB he was at Udinese when he was a proper marauding attacking player. Think about it… our only goal from proper open play today was by Messi running in behind. Wouldn’t it be better if there was someone playing from the start who could do that who’s still faster than Messi AND can finish his chances?? We need that profile on the pitch against harder oppositions.
On top of that, we don’t press as much as we did pre-2022 World Cup. Why? Arrogance? Overconfidence? Less drive since we already reached the summit once? Who knows? We just don’t do it and the best teams will be doing it against us and we’re gonna have to do it back to them if we wanna get our feet on the ball. We’re too passive and let teams come attack us which is why we play stagnant. The lack of fast runners and wingers that I mentioned before feeds into this problem – not closing down quick enough and even if we do get the ball back not being able to be quick enough to take advantage or win 1v1 duels. On top of that we all know we’re weak at full back and get caught out on defensive transition, especially out wide.
So how do we solve this? Honestly, we need to start one of our actual fast wingers from the off as the Plan A rather than a Plan B. We didn’t take Soule. We didn’t even consider Garnacho in the preliminary 55 man squad, nor did Prestianni nor Echeverri develop enough to win a spot, Mastantuono went into a stacked Real Madrid team and stalled his development – on top of that he’s not even a winger like that. So we’re working with either Nico Gonzalez or Giuliano Simeone. Honestly, we need balance and one of these will provide it. My issue is that I’ve never seen Giuliano successfully take a full back on 1v1 and win, however Nico’s finishing in an Argentina shirt historically ain’t it – not since his first 2 starts anyway. Giuliano can actually finish chances as a runner in behind. So my ideal front 2 would be Alvarez as the #9 and Simeone at RW, dropping Almada to the bench. We’d have to use similar dynamics to the last World Cup where when Julian was introduced he acted as a central presence AND as a runner both centrally and on the left. That way we can add some width. It’s not the best in terms of quality, especially with Julian coming back from a long injury but it’s the best we’ve got.
However, I feel one way to fix that is to play Valentin Barco as a LCM and drop Alexis Mac Allister to the bench. Now he does two things because of his experience at LB. He can help shore us down out wide where we’re weak, he’s aggressive and runs and presses the opposition. We’re too stale defensively currently and in an attacking sense and Barco can fix that. If Julian has to stay central when we attack, him and Medina/Tagliafico can combine to provide width AND cover for each other. A LHS of Barco – Medina/Tag – Alvarez is much more solid defensively AND can be better attacking-wise. Alexis has been poor this season for Liverpool with Liverpool fans calling for him to be sold since he doesn’t have legs and it showed itself a fair bit today. Barco adds the legs that Mac Allister has lost over the last year, helping us defensively and in transition along with providing more width out wide.
(Could even see Messi playing on the left if need be if we need someone to cook Kounde again – anulo mufa)
On a similar note, Giuliano Simeone does a very similar job on the RHS. While I think he’s not that great as a pure winger… as a defensive winger I’d say there’s no one better in the world than him. He’s an eager presser. He runs and tracks back so that also instantly improves us defensively on the RHS. You’re no longer asking Molina alone to hold width. He has a RHS of Duracell bunnies in De Paul and Simeone helping him out defensively. We’re less likely to get caught in behind on our right side AND we have a threat on that side too.
Enzo I trust more than Mac Allister to carry out the #5 role better, especially if we come up against more physical midfields like against an England – Rice and Anderson would eat Alexis alive in his current form and capabilities. Enzo and Paredes I’d see having more joy as the sitting midfielder.
I know Scaloni doesn’t really rate wingers (as evidenced by how he’s picked the squads since Di Maria retired) – but the lack of pace hurt us BIG TIME today against a side who we should be beating comfortably like Cape Verde and we’re gonna need that pace to beat better teams.
Let me know what you guys think? Would love to hear how people on Mundo Albiceleste view this
Congratulations Argentina for advancing to the R16. However, need really adjustment with the tactics. First don’t sleep after scoring one goal. Right and left back couldn’t protect from CPV how they would against like France/Columbia/Vini??? Should not maintain same strategy to pass ball to Messi. And need wing dynamics. Just see after Nico G, how improved left side dynamics! We really need right side fast player to cover for Messi. I don’t know who will be but Scaloni needs to find out.
Scsloni played two halves at bomba Boca juniors before wc
One half slow predictable long ball to Messi
Second half fast paced movement
It’s clear his WC tactic was the first one
It’s a one trick pony on repeat
Paz on that left so de would have torn them apart at pace
Lecelso would have broke the lines attacked
Was it France who embarrassed themselves NO
was it England NO
was it Spain NO
It was like every other God DAMB time a scared froze stiff Argentina
That first goal was plain embarrassing
You’re so happy Argentina gave up two goals to a small, unknown team, but I’ve got bad news for you: Argentina’s gonna win the World Cup again.
I don’t think we played poorly because we’re a bad team. I think it’s because we’re simply not used to facing this type of opponent. How many truly competent African teams has Scaloni’s Argentina actually faced? I’d say none. Tapia and his incompetence are also partly to blame for these kinds of surprises in major tournaments. Argentina should have scheduled more friendlies against competent African/Asian teams instead of playing Panama and Guatemala. It’s a major failure on his part that Argentina has been caught off guard by unfamiliar style of opponent on two separate occasions at the World Cup level.
The intensity and physicality they brought were on another level compared to what Argentina usually deals with against European and South American sides. Spain struggled against this style. England struggled against it twice. Now it was our turn. We should be thankful we managed to get through it instead of suffering a Saudi Arabia style upset.
Hopefully this becomes our wake up call, just like the Saudi loss before the World Cup. We needed a reality check.
A few changes are needed. Nico, Julian, and Tagliafico should all start. I’d also consider replacing either Enzo or Mac Allister, maybe bringing Paredes into the midfield for a bit more control and balance.
That said, I’m expecting a much easier game in terms of intensity ( not saying game will be easy ) against Egypt. They’re a good side, but they don’t usually play with the same relentless physicality and craziness that West African teams can bring.
Watching Colombia vs Ghana right now, and the intensity is on another level…non-stop pressing, rapid transitions, every duel fought like it’s the final. And Egypt just showed the same grit to grind out a result against Australia. Both games are being played at a tempo we simply didn’t match against Cape Verde.
Now here’s the logical concern: We struggled against a disciplined low block. What happens when we face a team that presses us high, runs at our defense with pace, and wins every second ball? Colombia will stretch us vertically. Egypt will sit deep but hit us with blistering counters…faster and sharper than Cape Verde’s.
We can’t afford to carry that slow, passive version of ourselves into the next round. The opposition won’t give us 120 minutes to find our rhythm. They’ll punish every loose pass, every hesitation, every moment we switch off.
This isn’t panic…it’s a reality check. The warning signs are there. We either raise our intensity, sharpen our movement, and play with urgency from minute one…or we pack our bags and wonder what went wrong.
I have a theory that the 13 day break, especially for most of the starting XI, actually hurt our level. No team needs that much time off in the middle of a tournament. We should have started our strongest lineup against Jordan instead of giving everyone such a long rest.
Back in 2022, we lost the opening game cause we couldn’t match the energy but gradually built momentum and intensity as the tournament progressed. Our core players kept playing every four to five days and never lost their rhythm.
That’s why I found Luis Enrique’s approach interesting before the Champions League final. He didn’t start his strongest lineup, but he still brought on most of his core players in the second half, just five days before the final. Even with the biggest game of the season approaching, he wanted them to stay match sharp instead of sitting out completely.
As an Argentine fan, this one stings…I won’t pretend otherwise. But if I’m being honest? Cabo Verde earned this 👏👏👏.
They didn’t just park the bus and pray…they executed a near-flawless game plan. Compact defending, fearless in possession when it mattered, and a goalkeeper who played like he had ten hands. Vozinha is my man of the match, no question. Every save wasn’t luck…it was positioning, reading, and nerve under pressure. He didn’t just stop goals; he broke our spirit.
Now, here’s the logical take: we live to fight another day. That’s not a consolation prize…it’s a reality check. This result doesn’t define our tournament unless we let it. We’ve been here before. We’ve lost group games, stumbled through knockout ties, and still lifted the trophy. The difference now is we have film to study, a system to fix, and a squad deep enough to rotate.
The question isn’t whether we can win…it’s whether we’ll learn from today. Because if we don’t, then tonight was just the beginning of the disappointment.
We’re still alive. But alive isn’t enough. We need to be better. And we will be.
👏👏👏Cabo Verde
Team if pub players part timers and non pros
Yes earned but in no reality SHOULD HAPPEN
ITS THE SAME ASS STORY WITH ATGENTINA EMBARASSING THEMSELVES
Honestly you had the most reasonable take I have seen after the match. CV is a respectable opponent, Spain and Uruguay can’t beat them after 90 minutes. There’s no alternative reality where this is not a hard-fought game.
Of course, that’s not to say we played perfectly, but footballers are humans, not robots, we’re never going to turn up to every game playing our best football. The important thing is to be able to win even when we’re not at our best, and take lesson and improve after every match.
RDP, Enzo and Macca can be a good trio, but they’re not suitable for every game. Today we need the midfield to move the ball quicker, someone who offer a bit more in the attack. We have the depth to adapt the midfields: Lo Celso, Barco, Paz.
We need the player who’s in Almada position to offer more in the attack: making more runs behind the defence, dribbling pass the defenders… we have the option too in Nico Gonzalez and Simeone.
Medina has a bad game today, we have Tagliafico who can come in.
The only 2 positions where they are truly worrying is the ST and RB. But we used the same STs and RBs as we have in 2022 and still win the WC, these players are in their prime years, their forms can dip but they are not automatically useless trash who can’t perform.
Scaloni need to change the starting 11, and a few players need to get their form back. We’re still in the tournament, it’s now the matter of adapting and improving. We still have the ability to make a deep run. There’s nothing more, nothing less to be positive/negative about.
What all the idiots here seem unable to understand or remember is it’s Argentina and only Argentina that keep stumbling like a clown repeatedly
Who was it missed three penos Palermo Argentina
Who was it that went to ground every time Ronaldo r9 even breathed rolling around on the ground as he walked by scoring
Argentina
Who was it that twiddled there thumbs as Dennis bergkamp scored ARGENTINA
EHO WAS IT that let teams come back in finals REPEATEDLY BRADIL / France etc
Argentina
Who was it that let Micheal Owen run right through them
ARGENTINA
AUSTRALIA FRANCE HOLLAND
HOW MANY TINES ARE THEY GOIng YO KEEP MAKING THE SAME EXACT MISTAKES
WE SHOILD BE WELL PAST THIS BY NOW SCSLONI NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND STOP CRUMBING LIKE A BITCH
Not gonna talk about the negatives because they’re obvious.
2 positive things to take from this game
They’ve been in cruise control since the tournament started and now if this didn’t wake them up like the loss to Saudi Arabia then nothing will.
2nd, they stuck around and won the game plain and simple and if that is not good enough for you, imagine if they lost!!!
CV came in with nothing to lose, they bunkered down and hoped for a freak goal and got one but the 2nd was ridiculous, once in a life time and freakish things always happen to Argentina, luckily not tonight.
Next game will be in Benz stadium, comfortable 70 degrees , no heat or humidity.
They need to play with more urgency, quicker, faster passes because sitting on a goal is not good enough.
Hopefully nobody was seriously hurt for the next game
Whoever plays in left side needs to take on the defender once a while otherwise we are so predictable. Second is when we cross we cut back looking for Messi and this needed a change and mix up like cross in 6 yard once then cut back. Nico should start and if he worries who will close down the game then Guliano should be trained to close the game . Anyway most likely Nico gonna start coz the Egypt wingers.
Part of the problem is messis ego and these meaningless boring records
Enzo
McAllister
Expecting a 39 yr old to carry there arse
Is mind blowing ENTITLEMENT
Forcing your 39 yr old star to battle the heat for 130 minutes
Is plain PISS TAKING – lazy – obtuse- idiotic – un called for – bone idle – privileged – mind boggling
Pull your finger out your ass YOU LAZY KUNTS
For all the people saying “calm down” this is a wake up call nonsense just remember when this same lineup shits the bed against a better opponent you all need to stay calm, have a beer and say see you in four years.
This team is not built on merit. It’s built on reputation and these guys out there, many of them, are in awful form. Playing time is earned. Barco, Simeone, Paz, not a single second. MacAllister was awful today as was Enzo and DePaul. Molina is so out of form i don’t even recognize him. And we can bash Lautaro but why? There’s not a god damn ball that goes his way. You need fresh legs, and someone explain to me what the hell Almada is doing period? Buendia and Mastantuono were left home for this shit? Jesus Christ.
Bingo
And I add
The fact same mistakes as Australia 22 holland 22 France 22
The “”””exact””” same
That’s insanity
Well said please don’t forget many here claim batistuta scored 54 not 56
Your posting with MORONS
I just don’t understand what the fuck he is telling these guys when they watch game tape? Is there a reason there isn’t a fucking guy that does more than a casual jog? Are they stuck in concrete or have weights on their ankles. Today you had a 39 year old guy run more than guys 15 years younger than him. At least Barco and Simeone are willing to run for Gods sake. That was an embarrassing performance. No way around it. It’s Cabo Verde man. Estudiantes or Talleres should beat them
How can Scaloni start DePaul, Lautaro, and Almada? De Paul is washed up, and Almada is a bench player at Atlético Madrid. Lautaro is horrible. We need to make significant changes to the lineup, just like we did in Qatar. We look lost on the attack. We lack wingers on the team, and that’s costing us.
Calmate. This is a good wake up call at the right time. Anyone remember 2022? Everyone was freaking out that we barely beat Australia, then the madness with the Dutch. Scaloni should make a couple changes along the back and we can expect better finishing as we settle in. Egypt is going down!
Dude that’s the issue your missing
You repeat the identical errors 10 x over unless your plain
RETARDED , how can Argentina keep making the exact same errors OVER AND OVER AND OVER
The writing was on the wall Australia / holland 22
Yet Argentina are still doing it 4 yrs later
Such a scrappy win. Stats will not show how shaky the performance has been. Argentina with performance like this will surely not get to QF. Big changes are needed.
Players need motivation. They score one goal and goes absolutely dormant. Not much creativity in midfield. Almada is bad, nico does not seem to have the confidence to shoot.
What happened to lautaro, enzo,and Julian i don’t know.
I think there will be be change in next game i mean it should.
With the next match in just 3 days, I am sure Egypt would drown us because we have 120 minutes in tremendous heat. Above all our 39 year old best player had to be on the field for 120 mins. If Scaloni brings the same starting XI, they would be tired like hell and consume easily. We need more creativity and youth in the starting line up.
This game might just have killed Argentinas tournament. Argentina and fucking 39 year old Messi playing 120 minutes in scorching heat against Cape Verde? What a calamity. That 2nd goal from Cape Verde reminded me of the winner scored by Saudi Arabia. Big big changes are needed, so many of our players are absolutely spent out there. I am officially on the gtfo of the starting 11 Almada train, the warnings have been there this entire tournament. Nico or Paz and Barco need to be incorporated into the starting 11 or this is not an exaggeration, they will lose against Egypt
It reminds you because debu is a fuking idiot his big mouth oh I CONSEEDED SO MANY LAST TIME I WONT DO IT AGAIN
WELL MY FRIEND YOU DID DO IT AGAIN 10 fold worse saammmeeee exact fuming story mistakes
Like Australia like holland like France
THE EXACT SAME ERRORS
All negative worries are coming out.
Guys, we’re going to be world champions again.
I hate playing underdogs, it was Argentina against the world match, proud of Scaloni and co.
There’s no excuse for what’s happening like Argentina vs Mexico marafona 2010
You could see the gaping holes and how Germany were going to walk over us marafona his tec s did nothing the team didn’t wake up
We need to step up and stop screwing around we’re is the midfield
We’re is Paz barco
Scaloni needs to rethink his starting XI and subs. He also needs to admit that he is failing to inspire the team any more. Hence. Enzo and MacAllister are big flops so far after 4 matches. Almada is clueless. Alvarez is clueless. Medina is super super clueless.
He keeps talking crap about humans and people and crying
He needs to fuking grow up
Can we do something about this weirdo (Lawress Hall)? He’s posting nonstop gibberish, calling for violence, and spamming the forum. Are there any mods here? Hello?
Weirdo lololol
I single handed destroyed cloudio Lopez forum I single handed destroyed you guys here for 2 decades
Everything I say is the truth
Can I kindly remind you as you GUYS SUCKED messi, OFF MESSI LEVELS batistutas RECord 54
Batigol scored 56 not 54
Because your all frauds
You know exactly who I am
And I’m always right
Argentina needs to bench DePaul, Almada, and start Barco and Otamendi. Lisandro can play as a CDM as well as a CB. This defense looks way too weak now.
I hope the mindless nonsensical gatekeeping of Scaloni’s “system” will stop now.
It’s mind boggling and annoying Iv never seen anything like it plain insanity
Lisandro Martinez is man of the match for me. A goal, an assist and defended like a demon!
Very true.
Totally with you. Is there any Flop of the Match award? Many in our team except Messi and Cuti deserve that. If there is a Disaster of the Match, it goes to Medina. Sloppy Duo goes to Enzo and MacAllister – we trusted them to do even better this time. They are letting us down match after match.
Man if the match was there defender a part timer who works as a morgage adviser
Played Argentina of the pitch
Yeah. From this calamity I found some goodies too like Licha and Cuti passing and goal.