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FT · World: World Cup · Friday, 03 July 2026

Argentina 11 Cape VerdeMatch recap & Bawler model verdict · Friday, 03 July 2026

> Model verdict
✗ Result against the lean

Pre-match, Bawler had Argentina at 67%, draw at 23%, Cape Verde at 11%. Against expectation, the match finished 1-1. The model's headline call was Argentina to win.

> Pre-match probability vs result
Argentina win
67%
Draw
23%
Actual ✓
Verde win
11%
> Expected vs actual goals
Model expected (xG)
2.190.79
Total 2.98
Actual
11
Total 2 (-1.0 vs xG)

Match underperformed xG by 1.0 goals. Below-expectation scoring — could be wasteful finishing, strong goalkeeping, or low-quality chances the model over-rated.

> Bawler's picks · how they landed
Banker
Over 2.5 Goals
Pre-match: 80%
✗ Lost
Dark Horse
X2
Pre-match: 28%
✓ Won
> What we said pre-match
"Over 2.5 Goals dominates at 75% probability because Argentina's 2.17 xG dwarfs Cape Verde's 0.75, giving the hosts a decisive 1.42-goal edge in shot quality."

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