Sidny Lopes Cabral of Cabo Verde celebrates with teammates after scoring the team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Argentina
Welcome to the Round of 16! Those of you who were blessed to watch the match last night between Argentina and Cape Verde were witness to what is probably one of the best World Cup matches in recent history. Watching tiny Cape Verde not only go toe-to-toe with the best team in the competition, but actually take the ball straight at them and not just play ultra-defensive bunker-ball was incredible. And while David came up slightly short of Goliath, I can tell you that they put the fear of God in that Argentine team, and every member of that Cape Verde squad will very likely never have to buy a drink at home for the rest of their lives.
Related — I’ve been very critical of the expanded World Cup as a cynical FIFA cash grab, and it is absolutely that, but damn it if it is hasn’t given us some spectacular games and performances, especially from smaller countries that normally wouldn’t make the tournament. It’s big there are too many games but this World Cup has been fantastic (reluctantance).
We’re down to 16 teams left. Here’s your daily recap and upcoming matches for today.
1-1 Egypt (Pen. 2-4)
Goals: Hany [OG] (55′) | Ashour (13′)
The funniest thing about this match was watching an old balding Australian guy chuck his inflatable kangaroo in disgust after the Aussies missed the first penalty kick.
Goals: Messi (29′), Lisandro Martinez (92′), Borges [OG] (111′) | Duarte (59′), Cabral (103′)
How do I summarize this match? I can’t. You had to be there, or at least watch the highlights. Cape Verde lost the match, but they’re absolute heroes. Cabral’s goal was the best goal of the tournament thus far and might not be beaten the rest of the way. Insane match.
I was emotionally spent after the Argentina game so didn’t watch and went to bed.
1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. BST
NRG Stadium, Houston, USA
TV: FOX (USA), Telemundo (USA – Español), ITV 1 (UK)
Stream: Fox One, Peacock (Español)
Current/former Tottenham players involved: none
5 p.m. ET / 10 p.m. BST
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA
TV: FOX (USA), Telemundo (USA – Español), BBC One (UK)
Stream: Fox One, Peacock (Español)
Current/former Tottenham players involved: none
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