The Argentine national team players analyzed the victory against Cape Verde, highlighted the aspects to correct, and anticipated a challenging match in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup
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The Argentine National Team has already left behind the hard-fought victory over Cabo Verde and is focusing on the match this Tuesday against Egypt in the round of 16 of the2026 World Cup. In the lead-up to the final training session, Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina spoke with the press and agreed that the team needs to improve its performance to continue advancing in the tournament.
One of the key points in their statements was the self-criticism after the tight 3-2 victory achieved in extra time. Paredes stated that the match provided an important lesson for what lies ahead: "Cabo Verde taught us that no match will be easy. We knew this, we were very clear about it, and Egypt will surely be a very difficult team".
The Boca midfielder also valued qualifying despite not showing their best version. "We want to give our best version. You can't always play well, you can't always show the image we want. Sometimes you have to suffer, but what was important was to win, and winning like this is also important", he added.
For Paredes, no match is easy
When asked about the surprises of the World Cup, such as Brazil's elimination against Norway, Paredes maintained that the results did not surprise him. "The World Cup results don't surprise me because we are aware that all teams are very competitive and anyone can beat anyone. Obviously, it is shocking to see Brazil out, but there is no easy match", he affirmed.
Additionally, the midfielder made it clear that he feels ready to be part of the starting team if Lionel Scaloni decides so. "I always see myself inside. I try to give my best every day in training to always see myself inside. Then obviously we are 26 players and the coach has to choose 11. It's up to me to be available and wait", he commented.
For his part, Molina emphasized the need to adjust the defensive performance, especially after the problems caused by Cabo Verde. "Analyzing the match coldly, we saw issues defensively, about being more organized. With the ball, we have players who disrupt the opponent. We need to be more organized defensively; we could have solved the two goals better".
Molina emphasized that the National Team needs to improve its defense
The full-back also anticipated a highly demanding match against the "Pharaohs". "Egypt is going to be very tough. They bring a lot of people in attack; being well organized and communicating will solve many things. Then obviously, besides the opponent, we need to think about our game, about being protagonists as we always intend", he warned.
Finally, Molina explained that the team must remain calm despite the anxiety that the crowd may transmit. "We try to stay at our rhythm on the field and not at the pace of the people who will always want more. From our point of view, we need to stay as calm as possible to resolve things in the best way when key moments arrive".
With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, the Albiceleste will seek to show a more solid version to avoid surprises against another opponent that, as their own players have pointed out, promises to test the reigning world champion.
