Miami gets the round's David-versus-Goliath. Argentina defend their crown looking every inch the favourites — three wins from three, eight goals, and Lionel Messi leading the entire tournament with six. Scaloni's champions have blended experience with ruthless finishing, and the gulf to Cabo Verde, playing in their first World Cup and the smallest nation ever to reach a knockout, is enormous on paper.

And yet Cabo Verde earned this. They came through a group with Spain and Uruguay unbeaten — three draws — behind 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who kept two clean sheets and made seven saves in the goalless draw with Spain. Their plan will be to sit deep, frustrate, and cling to Vozinha's inspiration. Argentina are 1/6 for a reason, though: the quality and depth eventually tell against a low block, and Messi rarely needs more than a sliver. Expect patience, then a flurry. 3-0 to the champions, with the only caveat being the warning against complacency that every big favourite in this tournament has heard.