Lionel Messi praises Cape Verde's performance after Argentina's narrow victory

The South American champions faced a disciplined and enterprising Cape Verdean team, requiring significant effort to avoid an early exit from the knockout tournament. Messi acknowledged the match's difficulty, stating, "We knew it would be a very difficult match," as reported by the Argentine media outlet Olé. He emphasized the high level of play from Cape Verde, noting their recent track record against strong nations was not by chance.

The Argentine captain highlighted the African team's resilience, which long resisted Argentina's attacks. Messi remarked, "It's no coincidence that this team had never lost against Spain or Uruguay. This is a knockout tournament and nothing is ever guaranteed," urging against underestimating opponents based on reputation.

Beyond the qualification, Messi recognized his team's shortcomings and the need to improve several aspects of their game. He added, "Even if we tend to underestimate teams based on their reputation, we knew it would absolutely not be easy. I want to congratulate Cape Verde for this fantastic achievement," praising what he considered a remarkable performance.

Argentina now prepares to face Egypt in the round of 16. Messi concluded, "The most important thing now is to rest and think about what's next. We need to retain the positive points and correct the negative points, a