Miami, July 4 -- Following his side's hard-fought win in their round of 32 match against Cabo Verde, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni hailed Cabo Verde for their performance, while also praising his own team for managing to respond in tough moments in a match that was not a "cakewalk".

Messi opened the goal tally in the 29th minute for defending champions, before Deroy Duarte hit the equaliser just when the clock hit one hour. 40-year-old heroic Cabo Verde goalie Vozinha kept denying Argentina an easy winner, before Lisandro Martinez levelled in the 92nd minute and met another stunning reply from Sidny Lopes. An own goal from Diney Borges in the 111th minute handed Argentina the sigh of relief that they had been wanting and a clash wi...