Argentina claimed a hard-fought win over Cape Verde in their Round of 32 clash at the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 on Saturday, July 4 (As per IST) at the Miami Stadium in Miami Garden. However, despite a poor show from the defending champions, Lionel Messi managed to score yet another goal and contributed to the win.
Cape Verde players' love towards Messi
It was Messi's seventh goal in the ongoing tournament, with another banger performance for Argentina in an important clash of the tournament the 39-year-old star won another Player of the Match award. But one thing that grabbed everyone's attention was the Cape Verde players' heartfelt gesture towards the Argentine icon.
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After the game came to an end, Lionel Messi was interacting with the reporters for a Q/A session, it was seen that Cape Verde players were patiently waiting for the former Barcelona forward to finish, so they could take pictures with him. This moment made rounds across all social media platforms, as it displayed Messi's influence across all over the footballing nations.
Here is the video:
Despite the win over Cape Verde, it was evident that Argentina lacked intensity in the Round of 32 clash, as they lacked answers against the African nation. The defending champions must up their level as they will lock horns against Egypt, who are coming after an impressive series of performances in the ongoing edition.
Lionel Messi's red-hot form in FIFA World Cup 2026
Lionel Messi is showcasing his elegance in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, as he has managed to score in every game for Argentina so far in the tournament. The 39-year-old forward has managed to score seven goals in just four games at the tournament so far. It should be noted that currently Messi plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, which is not a very competitive league as compared to the ones in Europe.
This shows that Messi has managed to maintain his fitness levels brilliantly despite playing in MLS since the end of the previous edition of the World Cup.
What's next for Argentina World Cup?
After securing a close 3-2 win over Cape Verde, Argentina will lock horns with Egypt in their Round of 16 clash on Tuesday, July 9 at the Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta. The game is being advertised as the clash between Messi and Mohamed Salah.