1 hour ago
Key events
During my exhaustive investigation for this liveblog – googling “Who is this Messi guy” and nan for illustration – I had a look astatine Cape Verde. I now want to spell connected vacation there. I americium not taking money from nan Cape Verde Tourist Board for this. For nan liking of balance, I perceive Argentina is awesome too.
The winners of this lucifer will play either Australia aliases Egypt, who are presently successful nan 2nd play of other clip successful their past 32 match. You tin travel each nan action pinch our liveblog here:
Weather watch
A large broad of filthy power has squatted complete nan eastbound seashore of nan US for nan past fewer days, but it’s really not excessively bad successful Miami Gardens (by Miami Gardens standards). It will beryllium 30C/86F astatine footwear off, not perfect but not unfamiliar conditions for a batch of nan Cape Verde squad, particularly Pico Lopes, who is utilized to playing successful nan scalding power of nan Dublin suburbs for Shamrock Rovers. And perchance not for Lionel Messi who has spent his past fewer Julys playing in, let’s spot … Miami!
Although Hard Rock/Miami Stadium doesn’t person AC it is designed to seizure breezes. It was surely pleasant capable nan 1 clip I’ve been there. Although, granted, that was successful February.
Preamble
Hello! It’s fairytale clip arsenic Cape Verde, nan smallest federation near successful nan World Cup, are playing nan world champions, Argentina, led by nan top subordinate of nan modern era. According to Opta’s Very Big And Clever Super Computer nan Cape Verdeans person a 10% chance of winning tonight, which seems a small generous?
Anyway, if they do triumph it would beryllium a sporting daze on nan lines of Japan beating South Africa astatine nan (Rugby) World Cup, Leicester winning nan Premier League, Buster Douglas knocking retired Mike Tyson, the Miracle connected Ice, Cameroon beating Argentina astatine nan 1986 World Cup, Saudi Arabia beating Argentina astatine nan 2022 World Cu... Hang on, I’m seeing a inclination here.
Tom will beryllium present shortly. In nan meantime, here’s a look astatine this lucifer from Graham Ruthven’s daily watch guide:
What to watch for
So far, truthful bully for Argentina successful their World Cup defence. Messi and his squad maintained a cleanable grounds done nan group stage, scoring 8 goals and conceding conscionable 1 successful nan process. On nan ground of what they person shown truthful far, La Albiceleste will return immoderate stopping. Their crippled is functioning well.
Cape Verde person made history astatine each move this summer. Not conscionable contented pinch qualifying for their first World Cup, nan Blue Sharks will now play their first World Cup knockout lucifer against nan defending champions. Cape Verde kept Spain and Uruguay astatine arm’s magnitude and will purpose to do nan aforesaid against Argentina.
Player to watch: Lionel Messi, Argentina – The Goat has been successful apical shape truthful far, scoring six goals successful conscionable 3 games. Even astatine 39, Messi is unmatched erstwhile it comes to deciding a lucifer astatine nan elite level. There’s nary 1 for illustration him.
