Argentina's attack faces scrutiny before World Cup knockout clash with Cape Verde

Argentina will open the knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup on July 4, meeting Cape Verde after winning its group with three straight victories. Argentine media note that Lionel Messi is the only player to have scored from open play, with his other goals coming from a penalty and a free‑kick. The other forwards – Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez, Thiago Almada and others – have contributed only from set pieces, raising questions about the team's goal‑scoring depth.

During the team's training camp in Kansas, a lighter moment went viral: Lautaro Martínez struggled to paste a Panini sticker in the World Cup album, prompting teammate Nicolás Tagliafico to humorously scold him, saying, “No seas desordenado, pégala bien. Hay la línea, no.” The clip spread across social media, showcasing the squad’s camaraderie ahead of the decisive match.