Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni said Cape Verde's success in reaching the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup was no coincidence.
"We're not at all surprised that they qualified. They're not here by chance. We have to respect them, and that's what we're going to do," Scaloni told FIFA's website on Friday.
The two teams met in the last 32 match at Miami Stadium, United States.
Only debutant Cape Verde remains after Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan were eliminated early on.
Cape Verde's journey to the round of 32 began with a 0-0 draw against European champions Spain, followed by a 2-2 draw against Uruguay.
