FIFA 2026: Argentina national football team survive scare, edge Cape Verde national football team 3-2 in extra-time thriller

FIFA 2026: Argentina national football team survive scare, edge Cape Verde national football team 3-2 in extra-time thriller

AP

Miami Gardens : Lionel Messi and Argentina beat Cabo Verde 3-2 on Friday (July 3, 2026) and advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 in a thrilling match in which the tiny island nation challenged the reigning champion until the final minutes of extra time.

The go-ahead score for Argentina was credited as an own-goal after Cristian Romero's header deflected off Cabo Verde's Diney Borges in the 111th minute.

Argentina vs Cabo Verde, FIFA World Cup Highlights

Messi scored early in regulation, his record-extending 20th career World Cup goal. Lisandro Martinez scored in the 103rd to put Argentina ahead 2-1.

Cabo Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Argentina during the World Cup round of 32 match

Cabo Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Argentina during the World Cup round of 32 match | Photo Credit: AP

Sidny Lopes Cabral and Deroy Duarte scored for Cabo Verde — both equalisers that stunned the pro-Argentina crowd in South Florida.

Argentina advanced to face Egypt, which beat Australia in a penalty shootout earlier Friday, in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Cabo Verde’s dream run ends

Cabo Verde's memorable World Cup debut had been a stunning run that few outside the tiny island nation off the western coast of Africa could have predicted.

 FIFA World Cup 2026 | France is bossing it but Paraguay may be no pushover

Behind the stellar play of 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, Cabo Verde became the smallest country to reach the knockout round, securing surprising draws against Spain and Uruguay and another against Saudi Arabia.

Vozinha had 10 saves against Argentina, including five against Messi.

Argentina's Lionel Messi controls the ball before scoring their first goal during the World Cup round of 32 match between Argentina and Cabo Verde in Miami Gardens

Argentina's Lionel Messi controls the ball before scoring their first goal during the World Cup round of 32 match between Argentina and Cabo Verde in Miami Gardens | Photo Credit: AP

Messi added another brilliant goal to his resume, sneaking behind the Cabo Verde defence on a well-timed run as Martinez lofted a pass toward him, taking a quick touch and hammering a finish into the roof of the net past goalkeeper Vozinha for a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute.

The Argentina captain has seven goals in this tournament — one more France's Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race as the top scorer in this year's World Cup — and extended his World cup record, moving two goals ahead of Mbappé on the all-time list. He has 12 goals during his record eight-match scoring streak.