A classic David versus Goliath encounter will take center stage at the World Cup on Friday as tiny Cape Verde face Lionel Messi and Argentina with a place in the last 16 at stake.
Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout rounds, face the defending champions in Miami, dreaming of pulling off what would be the greatest upset in World Cup history.
The Atlantic archipelago has become one of the fairytale stories of this year’s expanded 48-team tournament, confounding expectations by earning a draw with Spain before squeezing into the last 32 ahead of Group H rivals Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
But Cape Verde insist they will not be overawed by the occasion and the prospect of sharing a field with the reigning world champions and eight-time Ballon D’Or winner Messi.
“We are calm because we earned our place here on merit and there is nothing to fear or worry too much about,” Cape Verde coach Bubista said.
“We know the importance of the match ahead. It is the match of our lives, but we are going to enjoy it and give our best. There is no other thought in our minds than trying to advance past this round.”
But Cape Verde insist they will not be overawed by the occasion and the prospect of sharing a field with the reigning world champions and eight-time Ballon D’Or winner Messi.
“We are calm because we earned our place here on merit and there is nothing to fear or worry too much about,” Cape Verde coach Bubista said.
“We know the importance of the match ahead. It is the match of our lives, but we are going to enjoy it and give our best. There is no other thought in our minds than trying to advance past this round.”
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“They aren’t here by accident. We have to respect them, and that is what we will do.” A win for Argentina will see them into a last 16 game against either Australia or Egypt, who meet in Dallas on Friday.
Australia coach Tony Popovic has challenged the Socceroo’s to make history by winning their first-ever World Cup knockout game.
“It will be a special match, and we want to show Australian football on the world stage,” Popovic said on Thursday, adding that “if we perform well, we have a chance to make history.”
Egypt enters the game with fitness concerns swirling around talismanic former Liverpool Mohamed Salah, who is nursing a hamstring problem.
Coach Hossam Hassan said Salah would not be risked unless “I am 100 per cent sure he is fit and raring to go.” In Friday’s other game, Ghana, like Egypt, are hoping to buck what has been a disappointing start to the knockout rounds for African teams when they face Colombia in Kansas City.
So far, five of the nine African teams in the last 32 have been eliminated, with South Africa, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo and Algeria all heading for the exit. Only Morocco has made it through to the last 16.
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said he hopes to buck that trend against a dangerous Colombian team. “We have to make it better,” Queiroz said of the African exodus. “So, it is on our shoulders to be sure that we add another African team to the next round. That’s our duty.”
Algeria was eliminated in a 2-0 loss to Switzerland on Thursday as Portugal and Spain advanced to the last 16. Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in a drama-filled game in Toronto, while Spain swatted aside Austria 3-0 to extend their incredible unbeaten streak to 35 matches.
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