Scaloni Warns Argentina Ahead of Cape Verde Clash, Says World Cup Debutants Deserve Respect

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has warned his players not to underestimate Cape Verde ahead of their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 encounter on Friday.

The reigning champions secured their place in the knockout stage after defeating Jordan 3-1 in their final group match, but Scaloni believes their next opponents will present a difficult challenge.

The Argentine manager praised Cape Verde’s performances during the group stage, pointing out that the African side proved they can compete against strong opposition after making life difficult for teams such as Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

“They’re a very good team, and they make it very difficult for all opponents,” Scaloni said.

“But they’re a very tough team to beat. It would not be true for me to say they’re not strong, because they really are.

“They’ve already given Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia a hard time, and these are facts. You’ve got to be even more careful in this World Cup.”

Cape Verde have emerged as one of the surprise stories of the tournament, reaching the knockout stage despite being among the competition’s less-fancied teams.

Opinion: Scaloni’s warning shows the mindset required from a defending champion. In modern football, reputation alone no longer guarantees victory, and smaller nations have repeatedly shown they can punish teams that lose focus. Argentina may have Messi and world-class talent, but respecting Cape Verde could be the difference between progress and an unexpected exit.