Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde: Messi 29, Martinez 92, Diney 111 o.g.; Duarte 59, Cabral 103
Argentina needed an extra-time own goal to avoid one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history as Lionel Scaloni’s side edged Cape Verde 3-2 in Miami.
The reigning champions progressed to a last-16 meeting with Egypt, but only after being pushed to the limit by the highlights of the tournament Cape Verde, whose fearless display twice erased Argentina’s lead before their resistance was finally broken nine minutes from the end of extra time.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring with another moment of individual brilliance before Deroy Duarte levelled after the interval. Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina’s advantage early in extra time, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to produce a spectacular equaliser that stunned the overwhelmingly pro-Argentina crowd. The decisive moment arrived in the 111th minute when Cristian Romero’s downward header deflected off Diney Borges and into the net for the winning goal.
Even then, Cape Verde refused to accept defeat. Emiliano Martinez was forced into two outstanding late saves as the African side launched one final assault before the final whistle brought relief rather than celebration for Argentina.
Scaloni’s side had dominated possession from the outset but initially struggled to penetrate Cape Verde’s disciplined defensive shape. Messi offered the first warning with a low effort that drifted narrowly wide before testing veteran goalkeeper Vozinha with a curling free kick.
But in the 29th minute, centreback Martinez spotted Messi’s perfectly timed run behind the defence with an incisive diagonal pass over the defence line, and the captain’s exquisite first touch allowed him time and space enough to rifle a shot into the roof of the net before he could be closed down. It was Messi’s 20th World Cup goal, extending his own tournament record as the player with most goals scored in the competition.
¡El camino sigue y estamos más unidos que nunca! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/PVCMTuMTfH
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) July 4, 2026
Yet Cape Verde emerged from the tunnel guns blazing. They pressed higher and committed more bodies forward as Argentina became unsettled. It wasn’t long before they drew level. Just before the hour, Ryan Mendes slipped a clever pass inside for Duarte, who hit low across Emiliano Martinez into the far corner.
Argentina responded by cranking up the pressure, but 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha repeatedly frustrated them. Extra time appeared to swing decisively the way of Albiceleste when Lisandro Martinez collected the ball following a corner, paused and then blasted a fierce effort beyond Vozinha to make it 2-1.
That is, until Cabral swung things back to the middle for Cape Verde. Collecting possession wide on the left, he drifted inside and whipped the ball with an excellent bend, beyond Martinez and into the top corner. Cape Verde could dream. Penalties looked inevitable at that stage but with the clock ticking down Argentina produced one more moment. Messi’s corner found Romero, whose header struck Edilson Diney and looped beyond the helpless Vozinha to break Cape Verde hearts.
