World Cup round of 32 wraps up: Can Cabo Verde do it again, this time against Lionel Messi and Argentina? - CBS Sports

The World Cup round of 32 is drawing attention for a potential repeat of Cabo Verde’s historic upset as they prepare to face Lionel Messi and Argentina, according to CBS Sports. The piece argues that Cabo Verde already proved it can challenge top sides after holding Spain to a 0-0 draw, a result described as among the tournament’s highlights. It cites match data showing Spain had 27 shots versus Cabo Verde’s six and that Opta valued Spain’s chances at 2.11 expected goals, with Spain forecast to win 87% of the time by a model. The article notes the key context that Cabo Verde’s earlier tournament game benefited from injuries that kept Nico Williams and, largely, Lamine Yamal out of Spain’s XI. It then frames the next challenge as limiting Messi, plus Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez, while also mentioning Lautaro’s and Alvarez’s running threat.