Lionel Messi could start as Scaloni warns against underestimating Cape Verde

Argentina reached the knockout stage after an impressive group campaign, but Scaloni has made it clear that his players were fully focused on the challenge ahead. He praised Cape Verde for earning their place in the last 32 and said their achievements deserved respect.

"We're in a good moment, but now the margins are very small. This is a match where if you lose, you're out. We know that," Scaloni told reporters.

"They're a good team. We've already watched them, not just because we are playing against them, but because we were analysing potential opponents and then they qualified.

"We are not surprised, to be honest. They are a good team, and they are not here by chance. We must respect them and that's what we will do."

Cape Verde became the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockout stage after drawing all three of their group matches against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. Although they did not record a victory, Scaloni believed they produced performances that deserved more.

"Against Saudi Arabia, they deserved to win. Against Spain and Uruguay, maybe they suffered a bit more, but they defended well," he said.

"They also closed down the inside channels and they are really good on the counter-attack. They have skilled players."

Much of Argentina's success has been driven by Lionel Messi, who has scored six of the team's eight goals to share the lead in the tournament's scoring charts. However, Scaloni rejected suggestions that his side depended too heavily on their captain.

"Of course, everything he does is more visible, but there is one more striker in the team," Scaloni said.

"We do create chances and Leo Messi, apart from being a great player, he's a striker. Whether he plays with Julian Alvarez or Lautaro Martinez, we will try for all of them to score just as anyone else."

Messi was rested for Argentina's final group match against Jordan and came on off the bench in the 60th minute to score. He is expected to return to the starting line-up against Cape Verde. Scaloni, however, would not be drawn on how long the 39-year-old might play, particularly if the match extends into extra time in the Miami heat.

"I don't think it really makes sense to reply to this now. I don't know how the match is going to be, how he's going to be feeling," Scaloni said.

"He's been playing very well. I hope that everything will go well, but it will depend on how the match goes and how he feels."

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