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WORLD CUP 2026 · Friday, 3 July 2026 at 23:00 BST
Argentina
3 – 2
Cape Verde Islands

Match preview

Argentina are clear favourites on ratings, with the model at 70%. Only a poor recent run (four-from-five) gives Cape Verde Islands a way in.

70%
Argentina
15%
Draw
15%
Cape Verde Islands
Model fair odds
Argentina
1.43
Draw
6.67
Cape Verde Islands
6.67

Decimal fair odds from the model probabilities before bookmaker margin.

Argentina
70%
Draw
15%
Cape Verde Islands
15%
Elo rating: 2194 vs 1728 (+466)
Recent form: LWWWW vs LDDDW
Host advantage: Neutral venue
Model verdict: 70% / 15% / 15%
Most likely scores
Argentina 2–0 (16%)
Argentina 1–0 (15%)
Argentina 3–0 (11%)
Draw 1–1 (8%)
Why Argentina are favourites (70%)
  • Argentina carry the higher Elo rating (+466 points)
  • Neutral venue — no home advantage applied
  • Argentina won 4 of their last five (4W 1L)
  • Cape Verde Islands mixed recent form (1W 3D 1L)
  • Head-to-head treated as neutral — too few recent meetings to weigh (10% of the blend)

These factors combine to produce the 70% / 15% / 15% verdict above.

Expected match pattern

Argentina are expected to control possession and territory, while Cape Verde Islands will likely rely on defensive organisation and counter-attacks. An early Argentina goal would force Cape Verde Islands to open up, raising the chance of a multi-goal result; the longer it stays level, the more pressure shifts onto the favourites.

Expected goals: Argentina 2.1 · Cape Verde Islands 0.5

Quick stats

MetricArgentinaCape Verde Islands
Elo rating21941728
Last 5 record4W 1L1W 3D 1L
Goals last 5117
Goals conceded last 575
Clean sheets last 503

Argentina — last 5

  • L@ Spain01
  • W@ England21
  • Wv Switzerland31
  • Wv Egypt32
  • Wv Cape Verde Islands32

Cape Verde Islands — last 5

  • L@ Argentina23
  • Dv Saudi Arabia00
  • D@ Uruguay22
  • D@ Spain00
  • Wv Bermuda30

Head to head

03 Jul 2026
Argentina
32
Cape Verde Islands

Confirmed lineups

Argentina · 4-4-2
  1. 23E. Martinez G
  2. 26N. Molina D
  3. 13C. Romero D
  4. 6L. Martinez D
  5. 25F. Medina D
  6. 7R. de Paul M
  7. 20A. Mac Allister M
  8. 24E. Fernandez M
  9. 16T. Almada M
  10. 10L. Messi F
  11. 22L. Martinez F
Cape Verde Islands · 4-1-4-1
  1. 1Vozinha G
  2. 22S. Moreira D
  3. 4R. Lopes D
  4. 3D. Borges D
  5. 13S. Lopes Cabral D
  6. 6K. Lenini M
  7. 20R. Mendes M
  8. 15L. Duarte M
  9. 14D. Duarte M
  10. 7J. Cabral M
  11. 21N. Da Costa F

Key matchups

L. Messi vs R. Lopes

Argentina's focal point in attack against the heart of Cape Verde Islands's defence.

A. Mac Allister vs L. Duarte

The central-midfield battle most likely to decide who controls possession and territory.

N. Da Costa vs C. Romero

Cape Verde Islands's main outlet — how Argentina's central defence handles him shapes the counter-attack threat.

Predictions are model output, not betting advice. The model blends an Elo rating, last-5 form and host advantage; ratings update after every tournament result, and fair odds and likely scorelines are derived from the same blend. Bet responsibly — 18+. See PuntHub for verified tipster services.