Argentina suffers to beat Cape Verde and reach World Cup Round of 16

Argentina narrowly avoided an upset, clinching a 3-2 extra-time victory against Cape Verde to advance to the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup. The match, held at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, pushed the reigning champions to their limits, requiring 120 minutes to secure their passage.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, marking his 20th World Cup goal. However, Cape Verde, demonstrating remarkable resilience, equalized in the 59th minute through Deroy Duarte. Despite their underdog status, the debutant nation proved a formidable opponent, competing fiercely against the world champions.

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Argentina resumed the lead in the 92nd minute thanks to Lisandro Martínez, but the Cape Verdeans equalized again after a great goal from Sidny Lopes Cabral in the 103rd.

Lisandro Martínez briefly restored Argentina's lead in the 92nd minute, but Cape Verde struck back with a spectacular goal from Sidny Lopes Cabral in the 103rd minute. The decisive moment came in the 111th minute when Diney Borges inadvertently scored an own goal following a shot from Cristian Romero, sealing Cape Verde's elimination.

Argentina will now face Egypt in Atlanta on July 7. Cape Verde departs the tournament after a historic debut, having held three World Cup champions, Argentina, Spain, and Uruguay, to draws within the 90-minute regulation time.

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While Argentina will play for the Round of 16 in Atlanta on July 7 against Egypt, Cape Verde will return home after a historic 2026 World Cup.