Argentina national football team were pushed to the limit before eventually overcoming a spirited Cape Verde national football team 3-2 after extra time to book their place in the last 16 of the tournament, with Lionel Messi marking his 20th World Cup goal in a dramatic encounter.
The defending champions appeared to be in control after Messi’s composed finish — his seventh goal of the tournament in four matches — gave Argentina the advantage in sweltering conditions in Miami. However, Cape Verde refused to be overwhelmed and produced one of their most resilient performances of the competition.
Deroy Duarte levelled the match on the hour mark with a low strike that forced Argentina to expend far more energy than expected. The intensity of the contest continued into extra time, with both sides refusing to yield.
Argentina briefly regained control when Lisandro Martínez restored their lead early in extra time, only for Cape Verde to respond again through a stunning effort from Sidny Lopes Cabral, whose long-range strike flew into the top corner.
The decisive moment eventually came from a set-piece, as Cristian Romero rose to meet a Messi corner, with the ball deflecting off Diney Borges and into the net for an own goal.
Argentina will now face Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday, although the performance raised questions for head coach Lionel Scaloni on his 100th match in charge, despite what had appeared on paper to be a favourable draw.
Cape Verde, competing in their first World Cup, had already impressed in the group stage, holding Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws and earning widespread praise for their disciplined and fearless displays.
Head coach Bubista had described the clash with Argentina as “the game of our lives”, a sentiment reflected in a performance that tested the world champions for more than 120 minutes.
Messi, returning to Miami where he plays club football for Inter Miami CF, was once again the focal point of attention, with a crowd of nearly 65,000 reacting to his every touch.
He opened the scoring with a trademark finish after controlling a pass from Lisandro Martínez, extending his record of scoring in eight consecutive World Cup matches and moving further clear in the race to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, who impressed against Spain earlier in the tournament, produced several key saves, including a one-on-one stop to deny Messi when Argentina looked poised to regain control.
Ryan Mendes played a key role in Cape Verde’s equaliser, setting up Duarte for his composed finish past Emiliano Martínez.
In extra time, Argentina thought they had settled the contest when Martínez struck early, but Cape Verde responded once more through Lopes Cabral’s outstanding long-range effort, which briefly raised the prospect of a penalty shootout.
However, Argentina ultimately prevailed when Messi’s corner was inadvertently turned in by Borges for an own goal.
