Scaloni Urges Respect for Cabo Verde, Highlights France’s Strength Ahead of World Cup Playoff
Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni shared his expectations ahead of the Round of 16 clash at the 2026 World Cup. He urged caution before facing Cape Verde, emphasizing that the opponent remains unbeaten in the tournament and deserves respect. Scaloni also commented on the strength of other tournament favorites and highlighted the incredible support from fans, which provides the players with a tremendous boost of energy.
“With the knockout stage underway, it’s a completely different competition now. The margin for error is minimal: lose, and you’re out. We’ve seen many hard-fought matches in the Round of 16; nothing will be easy. Cape Verde’s presence here is no accident—they defended superbly against Spain and Uruguay. Regarding other opponents, France is very strong, as is Brazil. Mexico played an excellent match, and so did Colombia. There’s also Spain, Portugal, and England. But what France has done is truly remarkable; they are a great team and must be taken seriously. As for the rumors on social media about referee assistance, we pay them no mind—that’s not something I’m interested in,” Scaloni stated.
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