Argentina vs Cape Verde World Cup 2026 Match Dwell Updates: Lionel Messi scored within the twenty ninth minute to provide Argentina a 1-0 lead over Cape Verde heading into half-time of their Spherical of 32 conflict on the FIFA World Cup at Miami. Messi, who had develop into the one participant in historical past to play 30 FIFA World Cup video games at kick-off, additionally turned the primary participant to cross the 20-goal mark at FIFA World Cups. This was Messi’s seventh purpose within the ongoing version of the World Cup, which makes him the Golden Boot chief forward of Kylian Mbappe. The purpose additionally means he’s scored in his final 8 appearances on the FIFA World Cup.
It’s a David vs Goliath conflict between defending champions Argentina and Cape Verde, the smallest nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Argentina have thumped all their opponents up to now, brushing apart Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Lionel Messi has scored six of the staff’s eight targets. Cape Verde, in the meantime, have conceded simply two targets whereas staying undefeated via the group phases. It’s actually a conflict between an unstoppable power and an immovable object.
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1 Lionel Messi (Argentina) 7 targets 0 assists
2 Kylian Mbappé (France): 6 targets 2 assists
3 Erling Haaland (Norway) 5 targets 0 assists
4 Harry Kane (England) 5 targets 0 help
5 Ousmane Dembélé (France) 4 targets 2 assists
6 Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) 4 targets 1 help
7 Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) 4 targets 1 help
8 Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) 4 targets 1 help
Norway, England, France, Spain, Brazil and Portugal have all clinched spots within the spherical of 16; Argentina and Messi want a win over Cape Verde to affix them. Messi, who resumes his chase of the Golden Boot, has been on an absolute goal-scoring tear, with at the very least one purpose in his final seven World Cup matches going again to 2022 — one thing no males’s participant has ever completed within the match’s historical past. The Golden Boot is one thing Messi has by no means received. He completed second in that race with seven targets on the 2022 World Cup, one behind Mbappé, and tied for third with 4 targets on the 2014 World Cup.
Argentina have swept apart Algeria, Austria and Jordan to complete on prime of Group J. Cabo Verde have pissed off former champions Spain to a 0-0 draw earlier than pulling off attracts in opposition to Uruguay and Saudi Arabia too.
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Six targets every, however Mbappe leads Messi in Golden Boot race because of essential help rule

FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi in joint lead. (AP Photograph)
The FIFA World Cup 2026 has actually been a goalfest, with one of the crucial thrilling Golden Boot races unfolding throughout the Americas.
All of the anticipated names have delivered for his or her respective groups because the struggle for the world title intensifies. The listing of main purpose scorers is led by two giants of up to date soccer – Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
Legendary Argentine Messi averages two targets per match at this version, with six targets to his title within the three video games he has performed up to now.
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