Scaloni: We Played with Heart Against Cape Verde

Lionel Scaloni said Argentina knew Cape Verde would make life difficult after his side scraped past them 3-2 to book a place in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking after the match, the Argentina head coach said no opponent at the tournament is easy and offered credit to Cape Verde for the level they showed. He said they deserved respect.

Scaloni added that he would speak to his players about the negatives in the dressing room, but said he was most proud that the team never surrendered and kept fighting until the final whistle. He said Argentina conceded at key moments, yet did not stop trying to win.

He also praised the response from his players in the toughest periods of the game, saying they played with heart and kept looking for the opponent’s goal. On Cape Verde’s second goal, a fine strike, Scaloni said the move was one they had expected, but that the finish was worthy of admiration.

He concluded that many had assumed the match would be straightforward, but Argentina had known it would be complicated, and that proved to be the case.