CORNERFLICK
Lionel Messi said Argentina will keep competing until the final whistle after their 3-2 win over Cape Verde booked a place in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
The Argentina captain said set-pieces made the difference in a game where they had not been able to use that route effectively in earlier matches. He added that his side have strong aerial players and used that edge well on the day.
Messi also admitted Argentina did not press Cape Verde as they had planned. He said gaps opened up between the team’s lines at times, while the opposition had long spells of possession that forced Argentina to do plenty of running.
He said the team could not execute its pressing game properly, but stressed that Argentina always compete and keep fighting regardless of the situation.