Lionel Messi said Argentina must improve its performance after surviving a 3-2 extra-time win over Cape Verde on Friday [1].
The narrow victory in the World Cup round of 32 [2] exposes vulnerabilities in the defending champions' form as they move deeper into the tournament. Despite advancing, the struggle against an underdog opponent suggests the team's mentality and execution are not yet at peak levels.
The match took place on July 3, 2026 [3], at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida [4]. The venue, which holds approximately 65,000 seats [5], hosted a tense encounter that remained tied 1-1 at the end of regulation [6]. Argentina eventually broke the deadlock in extra time to secure the win [7].
Messi said the team's performance following the match. He said that the team's mentality throughout the encounter was a primary concern, as Argentina was pushed to the limit by a Cape Verde side that refused to be intimidated. The captain said that the team cannot rely on reputation alone to advance through the knockout stages.
While the 3-2 result [1] ensures Argentina stays in the competition, the effort required to overcome Cape Verde highlights a gap between the team's expected dominance and their actual play on the pitch. Messi said that the squad must refine its approach to avoid similar scares in the next round.
The victory allows Argentina to progress, but the shock of the close call serves as a wake-up call for the squad. The team now faces the challenge of adjusting their tactical discipline and mental focus before their next opponent.
“Argentina survived a 3-2 extra-time win over Cape Verde.”
Argentina's struggle against Cape Verde indicates a potential decline in clinical efficiency or a lack of cohesion in the current squad. By being pushed to extra time by a lower-ranked opponent, the team has signaled to future opponents that they are susceptible to high-pressure, defensive strategies. The emphasis from Messi on mentality suggests the team may be struggling with the pressure of expectations in the 2026 tournament.
