The defending champion Argentina team has reached the pre-quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026. They defeated Cape Verde 3-2 in a very exciting match of the Round of 32 on Saturday (July 4) and made it to the next round. Lionel Messi’s team was given a tough competition by Cape Verde, who was playing the World Cup for the first time. Argentina needed an ‘own goal’ scored in extra time to defeat this small country.
Cape Verde came back from behind twice and silenced Argentina’s fans. However, Cristian Romero’s last-minute header in the 111th minute, which was considered an ‘own goal’, sent Argentina through to the round of 16.
Argentina will face Egypt in the pre-quarterfinals. Mohammed Salah’s team is coming after defeating Australia 4-2 in the penalty shootout. If Argentina is successful in winning this match, then it may face Switzerland or Colombia in the quarter-finals. The round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt will take place on July 7, while Switzerland and Colombia will face each other the next day.
Argentina has been placed in a bracket with Brazil, Norway, Mexico and England. Brazil and Norway are going to face each other in the last-16 match on July 6. The winning team of this match will take on the winner of the Mexico vs England match in the quarter-finals. If the Argentine team is successful in reaching the semi-finals, then it will face one of these 4 teams.
