KANSAS CITY, Missouri : Argentina have dismissed suggestions their path through the knockout stage will be straightforward, with coach Lionel Scaloni warning that surprise package Cape Verde will provide a stern test in the World Cup round of 32 despite the holders’ dominant group-stage campaign.
Argentina topped Group J with three wins, beating Algeria 3-0, Austria 2-0 and Jordan 3-1, with Lionel Messi scoring six goals in the process.
They now face tournament debutants Cape Verde, who earned widespread praise after holding Spain to a goalless draw and Uruguay to a 2-2 stalemate during the group stage.
“It’s pointless for me to sit here and say they’re not a tough opponent, because that would be a lie,” Scaloni told reporters.
“Maybe for many it’s not like that, but I can assure you they are a good team and will make things difficult for us.”
Although Argentina’s route to the semi-finals avoids another former world champion if they continue progressing, the players echoed their coach’s cautious approach.
“We always focus on ourselves. Any opponent is difficult,” winger Giuliano Simeone said. “We have to try to do the most damage possible with our best weapons.”
Midfielder Leandro Paredes said the team’s attention had already shifted to the knockout phase after achieving its first objective.
“We achieved the first objective, which was to go through, and now we want more. From tomorrow we’ll prepare the match with Cape Verde,” he said.
Argentina were scheduled to return to training in Kansas City on Sunday ahead of Thursday’s last-32 clash in Miami, but the session was cancelled.
“The squad will have a day off today and will resume training tomorrow,” the Argentine Football Association said.
Scaloni added that defender Cristian Romero, who suffered an injury against Austria, was the only player unavailable for Saturday’s victory over Jordan.
LO CELSO’S LONG-AWAITED DEBUT
The win over Jordan also marked the World Cup debuts of Giuliano Simeone, Giovani Lo Celso, Valentin Barco, Marcos Senesi and Jose Manuel Lopez.
For Lo Celso, the occasion carried special significance. A member of Argentina’s 2018 World Cup squad who did not feature in Russia, he was a key part of the team’s build-up to their 2022 triumph before missing the tournament in Qatar through injury.
The midfielder marked his long-awaited World Cup debut by scoring from a free kick in the 19th minute.
“I waited a long time for this moment. I dreamed of it a lot, and it was much more than I could have imagined,” Lo Celso said.
“Sooner or later, work pays off. It’s been a long journey, and tonight was more than I dreamed.”
Scaloni praised the midfielder’s perseverance and importance to the squad.
“He’s been with us from day one, a spectacular boy who missed the last World Cup in a cruel way. We’re happy for him, because he’s important for the group,” the coach said.
