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A group of passionate Argentina and Lionel Messi supporters gathered late into the night outside the national team's hotel in Fort Lauderdale, eager to greet the football icon and the rest of the "Albiceleste" squad. The team arrived for their Friday match against Cape Verde in Miami.
The team flew in from their training base in Kansas City. After a short journey from Fort Lauderdale airport to their downtown hotel, they were met by an enthusiastic crowd of fans, who serenaded them with songs, chants, and car horns. The reigning World Champions, Argentina, are set to face the tournament's surprise package in a classic David vs. Goliath clash in the Round of 16.
Cape Verde holds the distinction of being the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout stages of a World Cup. The "Blue Sharks" from the Atlantic archipelago drew all three of their Group H matches, including a goalless draw against European giants Spain. This impressive run secured them second place in their group and a dream fixture against Lionel Scaloni's Argentina.
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