DEFENDING champions Argentina were forced to dig deep before overcoming a fearless Cape Verde side that produced one of the performances of the tournament, battling to a 2-2 draw after normal time before eventually succumbing in extra time in their Round of 32 encounter.
Ranked 64th in the world, Cape Verde refused to allow their dream debut World Cup campaign to end without a fight, twice coming from behind to stun the overwhelmingly Argentine crowd at Miami.
Argentina appeared to be on course for a routine victory when captain Lionel Messi produced another moment of brilliance, opening the scoring in the 29th minute with his 20th FIFA World Cup goal to give the reigning champions a deserved lead.
However, Cape Verde responded superbly after the interval. Deroy Duarte levelled the match on the hour mark, silencing the partisan crowd and forcing the contest into extra time after neither side could find a winner during the remainder of normal time.
Argentina restored their advantage almost immediately after extra time began when Lisandro Martínez struck in the 92nd minute to put the South Americans back in front.
Yet Cape Verde once again refused to surrender. Sidny Lopes Cabral produced a spectacular equaliser with a thunderous strike from outside the penalty area that flew into the top corner beyond the reach of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
The world No. 2 side eventually found the decisive breakthrough for a third time when Cristian Romero met a corner with a powerful header, with Messi delivering his ninth World Cup assist. The goal was ultimately recorded as an own goal by Cape Verde defender Edilson Diney after the final touch diverted the ball into the net.
The victory sends Argentina into the last 16, where Messi and the defending champions continue their quest to retain the FIFA World Cup trophy after surviving one of the toughest tests of their title defence. - July 4, 2026
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