Argentina booked their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 after edging a resilient Cabo Verde 3-2 after extra time in Miami, with Lionel Messi once again proving decisive in a thrilling knockout encounter.
The defending champions looked on course for a routine victory after Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, collecting a perfectly weighted pass from Lisandro Martínez before delicately lifting the ball over the advancing Vozinha. The goal was his sixth of the tournament and 20th at the World Cup, extending his lead in the adidas Golden Boot race.
Despite seeing less of the ball, Cabo Verde remained organised and threatened on the counter. Their persistence was rewarded 14 minutes into the second half when Deroy Duarte found space inside the penalty area and drilled a composed finish through Lisandro Martínez’s legs and beyond Emiliano Martínez to bring his side level.
Argentina responded by piling on the pressure, but Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha produced a series of impressive saves, including a superb stop from point-blank range to deny Messi and send the tie into extra time.
The holders regained the lead just two minutes into the additional period when a corner was only partially cleared, allowing Lautaro Martínez to react quickest and fire home from close range.
Cabo Verde, however, refused to let the match slip away. In the 103rd minute, left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral produced one of the goals of the tournament, curling a superb effort into the top corner from the edge of the area to restore parity and keep his side’s hopes alive.
With penalties looming, Argentina finally found the breakthrough that ended Cabo Verde’s resistance. Messi’s corner created chaos inside the six-yard box. Under pressure, Diney Borges inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net in the 111th minute.
Argentina saw out the closing stages to secure a hard-fought victory and set up a Round of 16 meeting with Egypt. Cabo Verde’s World Cup campaign came to an end, but not before delivering a performance that stretched the reigning champions to the limit.
