Argentina cruised into the World Cup last 16 with a dominant 4-0 victory over Cape Verde in the round of 32 on Friday, led by two goals from captain Lionel Messi.
Messi Double Seals Comfortable Win
Messi opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a trademark left-footed strike from the edge of the box, then doubled the lead just before halftime with a penalty after a handball in the area. Lautaro Martinez added a third in the 67th minute, and substitute Paulo Dybala completed the rout with a curling effort in the 82nd minute.
Cape Verde Unable to Match Argentina's Quality
Cape Verde, making their first World Cup appearance, struggled to contain Argentina's attacking firepower. They managed only one shot on target throughout the match, a long-range effort from captain Ryan Mendes that was easily saved by Emiliano Martinez.
Argentina Set Up Potential Clash With France
Argentina will now face the winner of Saturday's match between France and Saudi Arabia in the last 16. Coach Lionel Scaloni expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, saying, "We played with intensity and respect for the opponent. Now we wait for our next challenge."
Record Crowd Witnesses Historic Match
The match at the Lusail Iconic Stadium drew a record attendance of 88,966 for a World Cup last-32 game. Cape Verde's coach Bubista acknowledged the gap in class, stating, "We are proud of our journey, but Argentina showed why they are champions."
