Playing Argentina vs Cape Verde was a real knockout game as the reigning champions went on to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 with a dramatic 3-2 extra time win.
Argentina were given a clean sheet, but a spirited Cape Verde side twice found the back of the net in the first half making the game go into extra time. The South Americans eventually won the game but in doing so revealed some things that need to be refined at the next level.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni said that the game is “a reminder” that there are “no easy games” in World Cup knockout football. The clash added to the unpredictable and competitive nature of the tournament, underscoring the idea that it is not an easy draw.
If it was about a performance in terms of attacking efficiency, Argentina was efficient, but they were unable to maintain a defensive position in some of the crucial moments and Cape Verde managed to take advantage. Their seizing the initiative when it mattered most, and their performance in extra time, however, highlights the team’s mental toughness and pedigree as they have demonstrated.
The physical nature of the match was clear to see with players looking tired at the end of the 120 minutes. But despite the impact, Scaloni admitted he had seen signs of heat exhaustion and cramps throughout the team, which may impact on the way he rotates players and plans for their recovery in the lead-up to the Round of 16.
However, despite the elimination, Cape Verde still made a strong presence with tactical discipline and proving their resilience in front of one of the tournament’s strongest sides. They are becoming more competitive internationally, as they have been able to compete with Argentina for extended periods of time.
