How to watch Argentina v Cape Verde, team news, predicted line-ups and more | OneFootball

Defending champions Argentina continue their bid to retain the World Cup when they face tournament debutants Cape Verde in the round of 32.

Lionel Scaloni’s side won all three of their group matches to top Group J, while Cape Verde have been one of the surprise packages of the tournament, reaching the knockout stage unbeaten in their first-ever World Cup appearance.

Kick-off time in the UK

Argentina take on Cape Verde on Friday, 3 July, with kick-off scheduled for 23:00 BST (18:00 local time) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

How to watch in the UK

TV channel: ITV 1

Streaming: ITV X

Team news

Lionel Messi is expected to return to Argentina’s starting XI after being named on the bench for the final group-stage fixture, while Cristian Romero is also in contention after recovering from injury. Lionel Scaloni is expected to restore several regular starters following rotation in the previous match.

Cape Verde head into the biggest game in their history with no major new injury concerns.

Predicted line-ups

Argentina: Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Tagliafico; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Almada; Messi, Alvarez

Cape Verde: Vozinha; Moreira, Pico, Diney, Cabral; Lenini; Mendes, Duarte, Monteiro, Cabral; Livramento

Recent form

Argentina head into the knockout stages in excellent form after winning all three of their World Cup group matches against Algeria, Austria and Jordan.

Cape Verde drew all three of their group games – against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

What’s been said?

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni: “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.

“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.”

Cape Verde boss Bubista: “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.

“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.”