FIFA World Cup Round of 32
Argentina 3-2 Cabo Verde (AET)
MIAMI, USA: Defending champions Argentina survived one of the biggest scares of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, edging tournament debutants Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in a breathtaking Round of 32 encounter on Saturday morning (Ugandan time).
Lionel Scaloni’s side needed 120 minutes to finally overcome a fearless Cape Verde team that twice came from behind and came within minutes of forcing a penalty shootout in one of the tournament’s most memorable matches.
Lionel Messi broke the deadlock in the 29th minute with a trademark finish after controlling a superb long pass from Lisandro Martínez before firing beyond veteran goalkeeper Vozinha for his seventh goal of the tournament.
The strike also saw the Argentine captain continue rewriting World Cup history with another landmark goal as the top goalscorer in the world’s biggest tournament.
Despite Argentina dominating possession and creating numerous chances, Cape Verde refused to wilt. The African underdogs stunned the world in the 59th minute when captain Ryan Mendes split the Argentine defence with an incisive pass for Deroy Duarte, who calmly slotted past Emiliano Martínez to level the contest at 1-1.
Argentina piled on relentless pressure during the closing stages of normal time, but an inspired Vozinha produced a string of outstanding saves to drag the Blue Sharks into extra time.
The Albiceleste restored their lead just two minutes into extra time when Lisandro Martínez finished from close range after Alexis Mac Allister flicked on a corner.
However, Cape Verde once again refused to surrender. In the 103rd minute, Sidny Lopes Cabral produced one of the goals of the tournament, curling a magnificent strike into the top corner to make it 2-2 and send the Cape Verde supporters into wild celebrations.
With penalties looming, Argentina finally found the breakthrough in the 111th minute. Messi whipped in a dangerous corner, and Cristian Romero rose highest to power home a decisive header, with the ball taking a slight deflection off Diney Borges before crossing the line to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Cape Verde threw everything forward during the closing minutes but could not find a third equaliser as Argentina held on to preserve their hopes of retaining the World Cup title.
While Argentina advance to the Round of 16 to face Egypt, Cape Verde bow out with enormous credit after pushing the reigning world champions to their limits in what many observers are already calling one of the greatest underdog performances in World Cup history.
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