Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni has urged his players to take Cape Verde seriously ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 meeting at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, cautioning that the Blue Sharks present a genuine threat.

Scaloni made clear that Cape Verde's impressive unbeaten group-stage campaign — which included matches against Spain and Uruguay — was a reflection of real quality rather than good fortune.

Scaloni's respect for the debutants

"They're a good team. We've already watched them, not just because we are playing against them, but because we were analysing potential opponents and then they qualified," Scaloni told reporters on Thursday.

"We are not surprised, to be honest. They are a good team, and they are not here by chance. We must respect them and that's what we will do."

The Argentina head coach also underlined the pressure that comes with knockout football, reminding his squad there is no room for complacency in a sudden-death fixture.

"We're in a good moment, but now the margins are very small. This is a match where if you lose, you're out. We know that," he added.

More than just Messi

Scaloni also pushed back against the notion that Argentina depend entirely on Lionel Messi for goals, arguing that the team generates scoring opportunities across the attacking line.

"Of course, everything he does is more visible, but there is one more striker in the team," Scaloni said. "We do create chances and Leo Messi, apart from being a great player, he's a striker. Whether he plays with Julian Alvarez or Lautaro Martinez, we will try for all of them to score just as anyone else."

Argentina enter the knockout phase as one of the tournament favourites, but Scaloni's message was unambiguous — Cape Verde will demand respect, and his side intends to give it.