Lionel Messi and Argentina needed extra time to overcome a tenacious Cape Verde team, coming through a round of 32 thriller 3-2 in Miami, Yankee Scores reports.
Messi put the current champions ahead in the first half and added to his own World Cup scoring record.
Unbeaten going into the match, Cape Verde refused to fold.
Deroy Duarte equalised for the Blue Sharks to take the game into extra time.
Goalkeeper Vozinha continued his heroics in goal as he has done throughout the competition
You showed the world who Cape Verde really is.
Thank you for everything. Forever proud. 🇨🇻💙#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/44yeUP8d4o— CAF (@CAF_Online) July 4, 2026
Lisandro Martinez again gave Argentina the lead, finishing from close range from a corner but Cape Verde replied again.
Sidny Lopes Cabral scored what will be regarded as one of the finest goals in the footballing history of his country looping a beautiful shot into the net from the edge of the box to make it 2-2.
In the end, Argentina found a breakthrough in the 101st minute.
Cristian Romero’s header was directed goalwards by Diney Borges and the ball took a deflection off the Cape Verde defender on its way in.
An own goal that secured the Blue Sharks exit and sent Argentina through, per ESPN.
Cape Verde had late chances through Semedo, Cabral and Benchimol but could not find a way through to force penalties.
Their historic voyage to a first-ever World Cup ends in the last 32 but they leave with their reputations boosted.
Cape Verde also played a goalless draw with Spain and fought Uruguay to a 2-2 draw in the group stage.
The triumph keeps Argentina’s title defence alive but also highlights weaknesses that sterner opponents might attempt to exploit.
The Albiceleste have not been taken so close in a knockout game since their final win over France in 2022.
They now advance to the round of 16 where they will confront Egypt, a clash between giants of CAF and CONMEBOL.
But even with the scare, Argentina are still among the favourites to win the Cup again.
