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Cape Verde, the smallest nation to reach the knockout rounds, face Lionel Messi and Argentina in a David versus Goliath encounter. They hope to pull off the greatest upset in World Cup history, but Argentina, who breezed into the knockout rounds with the help of six goals from captain Messi, will be expected to swat aside the African qualifiers.

Cape Verde, the Atlantic archipelago, have become one of the fairytale stories of this year's expanded 48-team tournament, confounding expectations by earning a draw with Spain before squeezing into the last 32 ahead of Group H rivals Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

But what do we know about these tiny football heroes? Cape Verde's coach Bubista is calm about the prospect of facing the reigning world champions and eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi. 'We are calm because we earned our place here on merit and there is nothing to fear or worry too much about,' he said.

Cape Verde midfielder Deroy Duarte was similarly nonplussed, saying the minnows would relish the chance to make history. 'Everything is an honour and a reward, and we see Argentina as a game like this — another chance to make history,' he said.

But Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni insists his team will not be taking their opponents lightly, pointing to their unbeaten record in the group stage. This is a team that hasn't lost in the group stage, and Cape Verde won't be taking this match lightly.

A win for Argentina will see them into a last 16 game against either Australia or Egypt, who meet in Dallas on Friday. Australia coach Tony Popovic has challenged the Socceroos to make history by winning their first-ever World Cup knockout game. 'It will be a special match and we want to show Australian football on the world stage,' he said.

Egypt enter the game with fitness concerns swirling around talismanic former Liverpool Mohamed Salah, who is nursing a hamstring problem. Coach Hossam Hassan said Salah would not be risked unless 'I am 100 per cent sure he is fit and raring to go.'

Ghana, who are hoping to buck what has been a disappointing start to the knockout rounds for African teams, face Colombia in Kansas City. So far, five of the nine African teams in the last 32 have been eliminated, with South Africa, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo and Algeria all heading for the exit. Only Morocco have made it through to the last 16.