Defending champions Argentina survived a major scare
to defeat Cape Verde 4-2 after extra time in a thrilling 2026 FIFA World Cup
Round of 32 clash, booking a place in the Round of 16 against Egypt.
Lionel Messi once again proved decisive, scoring his
seventh goal of the tournament in just four matches with a superb display of
close control and finishing to give Argentina the early advantage.
However, tournament debutants Cape Verde refused to be
overawed and produced another spirited performance after impressive group-stage
displays against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
The Blue Sharks found a deserved equaliser on the hour
mark when Deroy Duarte fired a low shot beyond Emiliano Martínez after being
picked out by Ryan Mendes, forcing Argentina into an intense battle in the
sweltering Miami heat.
Argentina regained the lead early in extra time
through Lisandro Martínez, whose powerful strike found the back of the net
after a corner, but Cape Verde responded once again with one of the goals of
the tournament as Sidny Lopes Cabral unleashed a stunning effort into the top
corner.
With penalties looming, Argentina finally found the
decisive breakthrough from another set piece. Cristian Romero rose highest to
meet Messi's corner, with the ball taking a deflection off Cape Verde defender
Diney Borges before ending up in the net for an own goal.
Cape Verde pushed relentlessly for another equaliser
in the closing moments, but Emiliano Martínez produced a crucial save to deny
Lopes Cabral and preserve Argentina's victory.
The result sends Lionel Scaloni's side into the Round
of 16, where they will face Egypt in Atlanta.
Despite the victory, Scaloni admitted his side had
been pushed to their limits.
"It was a very tough match. You
always have to take the positives—this team never gives up,"
the Argentina coach said.
He also praised Cape Verde's outstanding performance,
adding: "We have to congratulate our opponents. When people say there
are no easy matches, they proved today that they are a great team. We finished
very tired because they gave everything."
The match also saw Messi extend his remarkable World
Cup scoring streak to eight consecutive matches while strengthening his lead
over France's Kylian Mbappé in the race to become the tournament's all-time
leading goalscorer.
For Cape Verde, the defeat marked the end of a
memorable first-ever World Cup campaign. The African nation earned widespread
admiration with fearless performances throughout the tournament and came within
moments of forcing the reigning world champions into a penalty shootout.
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