Argentina survived a major scare to overcome tournament debutants Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in a thriller at World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match, with Lionel Messi once more proving the difference. La Albiceleste will go to the Round of 16 where they will meet Egypt in what is another enthralling knockout match.
In fact, Argentina appeared to be cruising after Lionel Messi produced another moment of brilliance to open the scoring, but Cape Verde remained stubborn and pushed the world champions to their limits before eventually dropping out with one of the most memorable performances of the tournament.
Messi was in Miami, where he is also representing Inter Miami at club level; the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was welcomed by nearly 65,000 fans, many wearing Argentina's iconic blue-and-white colors. The 39-year-old repaid the fans with a trademark piece of magic, controlling a perfectly weighted pass from Lisandro Martinez before confidently lifting the ball over goalkeeper Vozinha to score his 20th goal in the World Cup. The goal was also his seventh of the tournament in just four games and extended his remarkable record of scoring in eight consecutive World Cup games.
But despite dominating so much of the first half, Argentina were unable to extend their lead before half time at the World Cup. Cape Verde, who had already shocked the world by reaching the knockout stage in their first-ever World Cup appearance, came out after halftime with renewed confidence.
Their persistence paid off in the 60th minute when Ryan Mendes found Deroy Duarte inside the penalty area and the midfielder drilled a low shot beyond Emiliano Martinez to bring the Blue Sharks level. The equaliser shocked Argentina and injected new belief into the African side, who continued to frustrate the defending champions with disciplined defending and fearless attacking play.
Messi almost restored Argentina's lead moments later, but veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, whose performances have made him one of the breakout stars of the tournament, denied the Argentine captain in a one-on-one situation. Defender Pico Lopes also made a big goal-line intervention to stop Enzo Fernandez from scoring after another Messi-inspired move.
With no teams able to find a winner in regulation time, the match was sent into extra time. Argentina took the lead just two minutes into the extra period when Lisandro Martinez took quick advantage of a loose ball after a corner and put his shot into the roof of the net.
Cape Verde, however, refused to surrender. Sidny Lopes Cabral had one of the goals of the tournament with a powerful shot into the top corner, leaving Emiliano Martinez with no chance and the underdogs erupted into wild celebrations.
Finally, just as it appeared that the game was heading for a penalty shootout, Argentina finally made a crucial breakthrough. Messi delivered another dangerous corner into the box and Cristian Romero won the aerial clash. The ball deflected off Cape Verde defender Diney Borges and landed in the back of the net for a cruel own goal which was the final point of the game.
Cape Verde still launched one last attack in the final moments, but Emiliano Martinez made a crucial save to deny Lopes Cabral and maintain Argentina's narrow advantage.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted his side had been pushed to the limit after the match.
"It would have been madness to lose this game," Scaloni said. “It was a tough match, and we have to congratulate our opponents. They showed there are no easy games at the World Cup. We finished very tired because they gave absolutely everything.”
Cape Verde coach Bubista also received a lot of praise for leading the Blue Sharks to one of the biggest shocks of the tournament. Having already faced Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in the group stage, Cape Verde’s fearless display against the reigning champions further cemented their standing on the global stage.
For Argentina, the win keeps alive their bid to win the World Cup title but the tough battle revealed the weaknesses that could come into play coming to the Round of 16 with a much hungrier Egypt. Messi continues to shine on the biggest stage of football, so La Albiceleste will look to their captain as they look forward to an even more determined game and will try to persuade Messi to help them once more to lead the team as the World Cup battle for the title intensifies.
