Scaloni Warns: Do Not Underestimate Cape Verde

Lionel Scaloni did not mince his words after Argentina cruised through the group stage. According to Reuters, the reigning world champion coach told reporters plainly that anyone calling Cape Verde anything other than a tough opponent would simply be lying.

Cape Verde's group-stage campaign backs him up. The debutants held Spain to a goalless draw and matched Uruguay for long stretches before finishing level at 2-2, results that turned heads across the tournament.

Argentina arrive in the last 32 as heavy favourites, but Scaloni's public caution signals that the defending champions are taking nothing for granted against a side that has already surprised some of the world's biggest football nations.