Defending champion Argentina national football team survived one of the biggest scares of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday night, edging tournament debutant Cape Verde national football team 3-2 after extra time in a dramatic Round of 32 showdown that captivated fans from start to finish.
Led once again by captain Lionel Messi, Argentina booked its place in the Round of 16, where it will face Egypt national football team in Atlanta on Tuesday after Egypt defeated Australia in a penalty shootout earlier Friday.
While Argentina ultimately advanced, Cape Verde earned worldwide admiration with a fearless performance that pushed the reigning world champions to the brink. The tiny island nation refused to back down, answering every Argentine breakthrough until an unfortunate own goal deep into extra time finally ended its unforgettable World Cup journey.
Messi once again demonstrated why he remains one of football’s greatest players.
The Argentine captain opened the scoring in the 29th minute with another masterpiece. Defender Lisandro Martínez floated a perfectly weighted pass over the Cape Verde defense, allowing Messi to time his run to perfection. After taking one controlled touch, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner blasted a powerful finish into the roof of the net beyond goalkeeper Vozinha for a 1-0 advantage.
The strike was Messi’s seventh goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, giving him a one-goal lead over Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot.
It also marked his record-extending 20th career World Cup goal, further cementing his place atop the tournament’s all-time scoring charts. Messi has now scored in eight consecutive World Cup matches, tallying 12 goals during that remarkable streak.
Despite falling behind early, Cape Verde continued the fearless style that made its World Cup debut one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
After stunning the football world by advancing from the group stage with draws against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia, the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup knockout rounds once again proved it belonged among football’s elite.
Cape Verde equalized through Sidny Lopes Cabral, silencing the heavily pro-Argentina crowd in South Florida and setting the stage for an unforgettable battle.
Argentina regained control during extra time when Lisandro Martínez powered home in the 103rd minute to restore the Albiceleste’s advantage at 2-1.
Yet Cape Verde refused to surrender. Deroy Duarte struck another dramatic equalizer, once again stunning Argentina and sending the underdogs within minutes of perhaps the greatest upset in World Cup history.
With penalties looming, Argentina finally found the decisive breakthrough in the 111th minute.
Defender Cristian Romero rose highest to meet a dangerous cross with a powerful header. The effort deflected off Cape Verde defender Diney Borges before crossing the goal line.
The goal was officially ruled an own goal, giving Argentina a heartbreaking but deserved 3-2 victory after more than 110 minutes of relentless action.
Argentina successfully held on during the closing minutes to seal passage into the Round of 16.
Although Cape Verde’s historic run came to an end, much of the credit belonged to veteran goalkeeper Vozinha. The 40-year-old produced another unforgettable performance, making 10 saves against one of the world’s most dangerous attacks, including five spectacular stops against Messi alone.
Time after time, Vozinha denied Argentina from extending its lead, keeping Cape Verde alive well into extra time and nearly forcing a penalty shootout.
His performances throughout the tournament were instrumental in Cape Verde’s remarkable Cinderella run.
Cape Verde entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the biggest outsiders in the field, yet leaves having earned the respect of football fans around the globe.
The African nation held traditional powers Spain and Uruguay to draws during the group stage while also earning a point against Saudi Arabia before reaching the knockout rounds.
Its spirited performance against the defending champions served as the perfect conclusion to a historic debut that few outside the islands off Africa’s western coast believed possible.
For Argentina, the victory keeps alive its quest to defend the World Cup title.
Although Lionel Scaloni’s squad showed moments of brilliance, Cape Verde exposed defensive vulnerabilities that will need attention before the Round of 16.
Still, with Messi continuing to produce magical moments and Argentina finding a way to win under immense pressure, the defending champions remain among the favorites to lift the trophy once again.
Their next challenge comes Tuesday in Atlanta against Egypt, with a place in the quarterfinals on the line.
Cape Verde leaves the tournament without advancing, but with its reputation transformed. Argentina advances, yet it needed every ounce of its championship pedigree to survive one of the most thrilling matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
