Argentina Survive Cape Verde Scare to Reach World Cup Round of 16
Defending champions Argentina national football team needed extra time to overcome a spirited Cape Verde national football team side, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash in Miami.
Cape Verde, making their debut appearance at the FIFA World Cup, produced another fearless display and came within touching distance of one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. The Blue Sharks matched Argentina for long spells and pushed the reigning champions to the limit before eventually falling in extra time.
Argentina entered the encounter as overwhelming favourites, with captain Lionel Messi leading a star-studded squad. However, Cape Verde refused to be intimidated, displaying the same resilience that saw them hold Spain to a draw and eliminate Uruguay in the previous round.
With the score level at the end of regulation time, the South Americans found the decisive breakthrough during extra time to book their place in the Round of 16, ending Cape Verde’s remarkable World Cup journey.
Despite the defeat, Cape Verde earned widespread praise for an unforgettable debut campaign, proving they could compete with the world’s elite and establishing themselves as one of the tournament’s biggest surprise packages.
Argentina will now shift focus to the Round of 16, where they are set to face Egypt national football team as they continue their quest to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.
Lionel Messi and Argentina are through to the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 16 after narrowly avoiding a historic upset against Cape Verde in the round of 32 at Miami Stadium on Friday, breaking through with a 111th minute extra-time goal.
Messi put the reigning champion ahead with his record-extending 20th career World Cup goal in the 29th minute.
Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte scored a stunning equalizer in the 59th minute, and goalkeeper Vozinha held Argentina scoreless to force extra time.
Argentina opened extra time with a goal from Lisandro Martínez, who assisted on Messi’s opener, but Cape Verde responded moments later on a beautiful goal from Sidny Lopes Cabral, who ran into the stands to celebrate with the Cape Verde supporters.
In the end, the reigning champions pulled through with a goal from Cristian Romero in the 111th minute. Argentina will now play Egypt in the round of 16 on Tuesday, July 7 at Atlanta Stadium.
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