Lionel Messi is back on the pitch when Argentina face Cape Verde on Friday at 6 p.m. ET in one of three matches on the final day of the Round of 32 knockout stage. Messi has six goals in the first three games and shares the lead in the World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race with France's Kylian Mbappe. But fans who want to wager on World Cup anytime goalscorers Friday have many options in addition to the Argentine star. World Cup 2026 action kicks off with Mohamed Salah and Egypt vs. Australia at 2 p.m. ET, and Luis Diaz and Colombia face Ghana at 9:30. The Argentina vs. Cabo Verde odds at FanDuel list La Albicelste as massive -800 favorites, with Cape Verde priced at +2000 on the 90-minute money line and a draw listed at +700.
There are some pure goalscorers in action Friday, but anyone on the pitch can put one in the net in the right circumstance, so finding the value is the key when choosing a player to score a goal today. You can see more analysis of the 2026 World Cup from SportsLine experts like Jon Eimer, Martin Green and Brad Thomas, and you'll really want to see what they are saying about the matches. Anyone following their World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Best World Cup goalscorer picks for Friday
- Omar Marmoush, Egypt (+230 at FanDuel)
- Lautaro Martinez, Argentina (-125 at FanDuel)
- Luis Diaz, Colombia (+150 at FanDuel)
Omar Marmoush, Egypt (+230)
Salah gets the attention, and for good reason as he is one off the national team record for goals with 68 in 119 matches. He is also 34 years old, and the 27-year-old Marmoush is emerging as the new star of the attack. The Manchester City man has 11 goals in 53 international matches. He started only eight of his 21 appearances for the Citizens last season and dealt with a knee injury, but he had three goals and three assists. He is getting more chances with the Pharaohs, and he will make the most of any he gets in this critical knockout match.
Lautaro Martinez, Argentina (-125)
The Argentian attack is more than just Messi, with Martinez and Julian Alvarez both capable of creating big moments. Martinez has scored in nearly half his games with La Albiceleste, with 38 goals in 80 international appearances. The 28-year-old also has scored in nearly half his matches over eight seasons in Italy's Serie A with 132 goals in 267 games for Inter Milan. Cape Verde can be tough to crack, giving up two goals to Uruguay but shutting out Spain and Saudi Arabia in group play. With Messi drawing the attention and capable of creating for others, I expect Martinez to break through. .
Luis Diaz, Colombia (+150)
Diaz is the most determined player on the field for the Colombians, and he always seems to be in the right place at the right time. The Bayern Munich man has 23 international goals, second-most on the roster behind only James Rodriguez, and he has played 52 fewer games than the team captain. The 29-year-old had 22 goals in 44 matches in all competitions for the German Bundesliga champions last season. Luis Suarez has struggled, but with him, Diaz and Rodriguez, the Colombians have a potent attack. Diaz has usually been in the middle of it when they succeed.
