Cape Verde Targets World Cup Shock Against 3-Time Champion Argentina as Messi Returns With 6 Goals
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jul 2
Cape Verde Targets World Cup Shock Against 3-Time Champion Argentina as Messi Returns With 6 Goals
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 2
Summary
Cape Verde coach Pedro Leitao Brito said his 500,000-strong nation believes it can "hurt" Argentina and play to win in Friday's World Cup round-of-32 tie in Miami.
Bubista said his side will be "brave and bold" rather than build its plan solely around stopping Lionel Messi, arguing Cape Verde must confront Argentina's whole team.
Messi is set to return after missing the final group-stage start and enters the knockout match with 6 goals in 3 games for the reigning champions.
Cape Verde reached the knockouts as the smallest nation ever to advance from a World Cup group, doing so with 3 draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
That run has reinforced Bubista's view that smaller teams can challenge elite opponents, after Paraguay had already delivered a knockout upset over Germany.