Argentina vs Cape Verde Bet Builder Tips: More Messi magic in Miami

| Friday 3rd July 2026, 16:00

Friday 3rd July 2026, 16:00

Argentina vs cape verde bet builder tips friday 3 july 2026

Defending champions Argentina, who won all three games to top Group J, face FIFA World Cup first-timers Cape Verde in the round of 32 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on Friday (6pm local, 11pm BST, ITV 1). Cape Verde finished second in Group H, behind Euro 2024 winners Spain, after avoiding defeat in the group stage (W1, D2).

Below are my Argentina vs Cape Verde Bet Builder Tips, with the tournament's star man so far backed to play a leading role...

Argentina vs Cape Verde Bet Builder Tips

Player to score 2 or more goals - Lionel Messi (ARG)
Player To Score From Outside The Box - Lionel Messi (ARG)
Both Teams to Score - No
Player 1+ Shots - Jamiro Monteiro (CPV)

Bet Builder pays @ 8.52/1

*odds correct at time of publishing

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Player to score 2 or more goals - Lionel Messi (ARG)

Lionel Messi started Argentina's first two games, hitting a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory over Algeria before bagging a brace in a 2-0 win against Austria.

The 39-year-old began La Albiceleste's final match of Group J against Jordan on the bench but came on at the hour mark and scored his sixth goal of the tournament 20 minutes later.

Messi (six goals) is joint-top of the Golden Boot charts alongside France's Kylian Mbappe, who has already featured, and scored twice, in the round of 32.

The Inter Miami star will aim to move back into the outright lead on Friday and he should be confident of opening up a multiple-goal gap on Mbappe, with Cape Verde, happy just to be in the knockouts, Argentina's next opponents.

To their credit, the Blue Sharks have kept two clean sheets at the tournament, holding Spain and Saudi Arabia to goalless draws in Group H, but it's a tough ask to keep Messi & Co. out in Miami Gardens.

Messi has scored in his last seven World Cup appearances, netting at least twice in three, and I'm backing him to bag another brace here.

Player To Score From Outside The Box - Lionel Messi (ARG)

Half (three) of Messi's goals at this World Cup have come from outside the box, including his free-kick against Jordan last time out.

With Cape Verde likely to be defending deep in their own half on Friday, it may require some magic from Messi to break the deadlock, and La Albiceleste can always rely on his ability to strike from long range.

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Pre-Match Bet Builder & Single bets on qualifying Player selections. Selected leagues & markets only. Applies to Price Boosts & Turbo Boosts. Extra-time will count. T&Cs Apply.

Argentina vs Cape Verde Odds

Both Teams to Score - No

Argentina have only conceded once at these finals, keeping back-to-back clean sheets against Algeria and Austria before succumbing to Jordan's Mousa Al-Tamari.

Lionel Scaloni's side have recorded eight shutouts from their last 10 games and will fancy their chances of making it nine from 11 on Friday against Cape Verde, who blanked in two of their three group matches and were reliant on two long-range goals to score twice against Uruguay.

Player 1+ Shots - Jamiro Monteiro (CPV)

Cape Verde midfielder Jamiro Monteiro didn't register a shot against Spain, but he tried his luck twice apiece against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

The 32-year-old's two efforts against Uruguay came from outside the box, while his two against Saudi Arabia were from inside the 18-yard area (his second against the latter forced a save).

Betfred's Sub Switch rolls your bet to the oncoming substitute, so you stay in the game, even when your player doesn’t.

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