Argentina Advances to Round of 16 After Thrilling Match Against Cape Verde

In a gripping World Cup clash, Argentina edged past Cape Verde with a 3-2 victory, securing their place in the Round of 16. Lionel Messi's historic goal and Cape Verde's remarkable performance highlighted the match. Despite being the underdogs, Cape Verde showcased their talent and resilience, making it a memorable debut in the tournament. The match featured thrilling moments, including a dramatic equalizer and an own goal that sealed Argentina's fate. Read on to explore the key highlights and reactions from both teams.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 4, 2026, 08:51 IST

Argentina's Narrow Escape Against Cape Verde

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, managed to secure a spot in the Round of 16 after a nail-biting encounter with Cape Verde, which ended in a 3-2 victory. The match saw Argentina take the lead multiple times, only for Cape Verde to respond each time, showcasing their resilience. Despite scoring twice, Cape Verde could not match Argentina's third goal, allowing La Albiceleste to progress.

Match Highlights

Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, marking his 20th World Cup goal, a historic achievement. Cape Verde's Deroy Duarte equalized in the 59th minute, but Argentina's Lisandro Martinez restored their lead, pushing the game into extra time. Sidny Lopes Cabral's stunning strike in the 103rd minute brought the score to 2-2, raising the stakes for a potential penalty shootout. However, an own goal by Diney Borges in the 111th minute ultimately sealed the match for Argentina.

Remarkable Journey for Cape Verde

Cape Verde's performance in their World Cup debut has been nothing short of extraordinary. The island nation, with a population of just 525,000, achieved surprising draws against football giants like Spain and Uruguay, and even managed to push Argentina to extra time. Goalkeeper Vozinha was instrumental, making 10 saves, including five against Messi. Coach Bubista expressed pride in his team's accomplishments, emphasizing their dignity and identity on the world stage. Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, also acknowledged Cape Verde's impressive display, highlighting the challenge they posed.