Defending champions Argentina survived a major scare to defeat Cape Verde after extra time in a dramatic Round of 32 clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Lionel Messi continuing his brilliant tournament by scoring his seventh goal.
Argentina eventually booked their place in the last 16 thanks to a 111th-minute own goal by Diney Borges, ending Cape Verde’s remarkable resistance after one of the competition’s most memorable knockout matches.
Ranked 64th in the world, Cape Verde stunned the second-ranked Argentines by coming from behind twice and forcing the reigning champions into extra time.
Messi gave Argentina the lead in the 29th minute with a moment of brilliance. The captain expertly controlled a long pass from Lisandro Martínez before smashing the ball into the roof of the net for his 20th World Cup goal.
Cape Verde refused to back down, however, and restored parity in the second half through Deroy Duarte, who burst into the penalty area before drilling a low shot through Martínez’s legs and beyond Emiliano Martínez from a tight angle, sparking wild celebrations among the Cape Verde supporters.
With the score locked at 1-1 after regulation time, extra time was needed. Lisandro Martínez looked to have secured Argentina’s victory almost immediately after the restart, blasting home in the 92nd minute to make it 2-1.
Cape Verde responded once again through Sidny Lopes Cabral, who produced one of the standout goals of the tournament. In the 103rd minute, he cut in from the left before curling a superb effort into the top corner beyond Emiliano Martínez to level the score at 2-2.
Cabral nearly completed an unforgettable hat-trick of moments when he forced a brilliant save from Martínez with just four minutes left in extra time, but Argentina held on before fortune smiled on them.
Just before penalties appeared inevitable, Alexis Mac Allister’s corner created confusion in the Cape Verde box, and Borges inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 111th minute, sending Argentina through.
The atmosphere in Miami had been electric from kickoff, with thousands of Argentina fans creating a carnival-like setting as they watched their team edge a determined Cape Verde side.
Although Cape Verde’s historic World Cup journey came to an end, the tournament newcomers earned widespread admiration for their fearless display against one of football’s biggest powers, proving they belonged on the world stage.
