Argentina are not perfect. Lionel Messi details problems after tough win vs Cape Verde

Lionel Messi's Argentina were forced to suffer through Extra Time against 64th ranked Cape Verde. Speaking after the game, Messi detailed the problems that Argentina faced on the pitch in their Round of 32 clash.

In Short

• Argentina reached the Round of 16 with 3-2 win over Cape Verde
• Argentina vs Cape Verde went to Extra Time after 1-1 at FT
• Lionel Messi detailed Argentina's problems vs Cape Verde

Defending champions Argentina are not perfect, and that was evident in their Round of 32 match against Cape Verde at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Lionel Messi's team - ranked No. 2 in the world - were held to a 1-1 draw in regulation time by the smallest nation ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup knockout stage.

It was not as though Argentina missed a host of chances. They rarely got a sniff. A resolute Cape Verde defence did everything to keep the likes of Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez quiet. And whenever they did break through, the Argentine attackers were met by an inspired Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper standing tall between the posts.

Argentina were made to suffer for 120 minutes in the sweltering Miami humidity before eventually edging Cape Verde 3-2 to qualify for the Round of 16. But the match also exposed some of the cracks in the defending champions' armour.

Argentina vs Cape Verde, FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights

Right-back Nahuel Molina endured a difficult outing, both defensively and going forward. Cape Verde's Sidny Lopez Cabral repeatedly targeted that flank and eventually scored a superb curling effort that could well rank among the best goals of the tournament.

The Argentine attack also looked toothless once Messi was heavily marked and forced to drop deep into midfield. On several occasions, the captain was visibly frustrated as Alexis Mac Allister failed to lay the ball off cleanly around the edge of the box, allowing the Cape Verde defence to snuff out promising attacks.

Speaking after the game, Messi credited Cape Verde for their disciplined display and admitted Argentina had expected a difficult contest.

"Honestly, we knew beforehand that the match would be extremely tough. And it's no coincidence that this national team hasn't lost to Spain or Uruguay," Messi said.

The legendary forward eventually broke the deadlock with a sublime first touch inside the box before finishing at the near post past Vozinha. Much of the credit for the goal belonged to defender Lisandro Martinez, whose inch-perfect left-footed long pass picked out Messi's run.

"We managed to achieve the hardest part by scoring the first goal, and we thought that would help us impose our playing style and play with greater calm, but exactly the opposite happened," Messi said.

MESSI DETAILS ARGENTINA'S PROBLEMS

But after taking the lead, Argentina lost control of the game. According to Messi, the team became too relaxed in possession, gave the ball away cheaply and gradually retreated deeper into its own half. Without the ball, Argentina also failed to press with the usual intensity that has become a hallmark of Lionel Scaloni's side.

That lack of urgency, combined with loose passing, eventually led to Cape Verde's equaliser, which came after another attack down Argentina's vulnerable right flank.

"They exploited their weapon and scored. We knew the task would be complicated," Messi said.

NO ONE GIVES WINS FOR FREE

Messi, however, insisted that Argentina had never expected an easy passage against Cape Verde, pointing to the increasingly fine margins that have defined this World Cup. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner dismissed any notion that smaller footballing nations could be taken lightly, saying the knockout stages leave no room for complacency.

"These are knockout matches, and no one gives you anything for free. Some might underestimate national teams because of their names, but we knew it wouldn't be an easy match at all," Messi said.

The Argentina captain added that the competitiveness across the tournament had made every fixture a battle, regardless of the opposition.

"And that's what makes this World Cup special; everything is so close, and all the matches are extremely difficult."

POSITIVES FROM CAPE VERDE GAME?

Messi also praised his team's resilience after surviving a gruelling 120-minute contest in the Miami heat, saying Argentina had found a way to progress even without producing their best football.

"We put in a huge effort as usual, whether we played well or didn't deliver our best levels."

Argentina will now turn their attention to the Round of 16, with Messi urging the team to recover quickly and build on the positives from a hard-fought victory.

"Now the most important thing is to rest, think about the next match, and try to draw the positive aspects from today's encounter," Messi concluded.

FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News

- Ends