Scaloni wary of World Cup surprise package Cape Verde despite Argentina's form

MIAMI, July 2 : Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni struck a measured and respectful tone on Thursday ahead of his side's World Cup last-32 clash against Cape Verde, rejecting suggestions that the tournament debutants would be easy opponents for the reigning champions.

Cape Verde are the smallest nation to ever qualify for the knockout stage of the World Cup after three draws against European champions Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

Argentina enter the knockout rounds after a near-flawless group-stage campaign and though Scaloni acknowledged the excitement surrounding his side, he stressed that his players are treating Cape Verde with the utmost respect.

"We're in a good moment, but now the margins are very small. This is a match where if you lose, you're out. We know that," Scaloni told reporters on Thursday.

"They're a good team. We've already watched them, not just because we are playing against them, but because we were analysing potential opponents and then they qualified.

"We are not surprised, to be honest. They are a good team, and they are not here by chance. We must respect them and that's what we will do."

While Cape Verde are unbeaten on the back of their strong defensive tactics, they failed to win a match in the group stage and Scaloni said there were games the disciplined African side deserved to win.

"Against Saudi Arabia, they deserved to win. Against Spain and Uruguay, maybe they suffered a bit more, but they defended well," Scaloni explained.

"They also closed down the inside channels and they are really good on the counter-attack. They have skilled players."

OVER-RELIANCE ON MESSI?

Lionel Messi has scored six of Argentina's eight goals to top the tournament's scoring charts along with France's Kylian Mbappe.

But