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After a challenging round of 32 match against Cabo Verde, Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni commended the performance of Cabo Verde while also acknowledging his team's resilience in a contest that was far from straightforward.

Lionel Messi initiated the scoring for the defending champions in the 29th minute, but Cabo Verde's Deroy Duarte equalized just as the match reached the one-hour mark. The 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha from Cabo Verde made several crucial saves, thwarting Argentina's attempts to secure an easy win. However, Lisandro Martinez managed to score in the 92nd minute, only to face another impressive response from Sidny Lopes. Ultimately, an own goal by Diney Borges in the 111th minute provided Argentina with the much-needed relief, setting up a clash with Egypt in the next round.

In his post-match comments, Scaloni remarked, "It was a very challenging match, and we must focus on the positives. This team never backs down. I must commend our opponents—Cabo Verde demonstrated that there are no easy matches. Everyone contributed significantly, and by the end, they were all exhausted from giving their all. This is Argentina; if you don't grasp that, it can be tough. We Argentines understand that nothing comes easy."

He noted that the team faced setbacks at critical moments but emphasized their determination to fight for victory.

"There's always room for improvement, but it's crucial that the team responded well during tough times. We consistently aim for the opponent's goal and play with passion. Many thought it would be an easy match, but we were well aware that it wouldn't be," he added.

Scaloni also recognized that despite the win, there are aspects that need refinement. "We can discuss whether our performance was good or bad, but this team does not shy away from taking control of the match," he concluded.

This match marked a significant milestone for Scaloni, as it was his 100th game in charge of the Argentine national team since his appointment in 2018. Under his leadership, the team has achieved remarkable success, winning 73 matches, losing only nine, and drawing 18. Notably, Argentina secured the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Copa America 2021, and the Copa America 2024 during his tenure.