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Argentina v Cabo Verde: Round of 32 - FIFA World Cup 2026

'They kick the crap out of me!' - Messi jokes about rough Cape Verde treatment

Lionel Messi laughed off the physical treatment he received from Cape Verde after Argentina edged into the World Cup last 16. The Albiceleste captain joked that his opponents "kick the crap" out of him before asking for shirts and selfies, while also admitting his side fell below their usual standards.

World Cup Golden Boot standings: Messi moves onto seven

The 2026 World Cup is well underway and so is the race for the prestigious Golden Boot - the award given to the tournament's top scorer. There's a long and winding road to be navigated as 48 nations battle for the top prize, but which star will take home the illustrious award? Here, GOAL tracks the tournament's most prolific stars.

Romero to the rescue as Messi's Argentina suffer massive scare

Cristian Romero scored an extra-time winner, Lionel Messi grabbed a goal, but Argentina were given a real scare by Cape Verde in an uncomfortable 3-2 win to advance to the World Cup Round of 16. Argentina surrendered the lead twice, and needed extra time to finally gain daylight from a Cape Verde side that, in truth, deserved so much more.

Pos	Squadra	G	V	P	S	GF	GS	+/-	Pt.	Forma
12	FC Hennef 05	30	11	2	17	45	66	-21	35	S S V V V
13	SpVg Porz 1919	30	7	4	19	58	99	-41	25	S S S S D
14	Teutonia Weiden	30	4	4	22	25	104	-79	16	S S S S V
15	Sportfreunde Dueren	30	4	2	24	41	103	-62	14	S S S S S
16	Pesch	30	2	2	26	26	112	-86	8	S S S S S

Pos

Squadra

+/-

Pt.

Forma