Argentina faced off against Cape Verde on Friday in Miami during the World Cup round of 32, where they triumphed 3-2 after extra time. Lionel Messi made headlines as he scored a goal, helping Argentina avoid one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history against the 67th ranked team.
Match Overview: Argentina vs. Cape Verde
In a contest marked by intense competition, Argentina took an early lead when Messi scored in the 29th minute. His breathtaking control of a pass from Lisandro Martínez allowed him to flick the ball past Cape Verde's goalkeeper, Vozinha. However, Cape Verde's Deroy Duarte equalized with a drilled shot in the 59th minute, pushing the match into extra time.
The match saw Argentina's Lisandro Martínez score again, only for Cape Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral to level the score once more before the decisive moment came from an own goal by Diney Borges in the 111th minute. This final touch secured Argentina's victory and their place in the next round against Egypt.
Cape Verde's Remarkable Journey
Despite the loss, Cape Verde's performance throughout the tournament has been commendable. Coach Bubista expressed pride in his team's efforts, stating, "We dignify what our country is. We drew twice against the world champions, we took it to extra time." Their unexpected run in the tournament captured the hearts of many fans worldwide.
The 40-year-old Vozinha, Cape Verde's goalkeeper, has emerged as a standout player, making crucial saves throughout the match, including a remarkable denial of Messi's free kick, which kept Cape Verde in contention.
Looking Ahead: Argentina's Next Challenge
With this victory, Argentina will advance to face Egypt, who defeated Australia in a penalty shootout earlier on the same day. Messi, who now has seven goals in this World Cup, is leading the race for the Golden Boot. The upcoming match is set to take place in Atlanta on Tuesday, and Argentina will be looking to build on their performance against Cape Verde.
- Match Date: July 3, 2026
- Final Score: Argentina 3, Cape Verde 2
- Key Players: Lionel Messi, Lisandro Martínez, Diney Borges
- Next Opponent: Egypt
- Location: Miami, USA
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by ESPN Soccer. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
