Champions Argentina need extra-time own goal to get past Cape Verde into last 16

Reigning champions Argentina narrowly avoided an upset, clinching a dramatic 3-2 victory over a resilient Cape Verde side in extra time to secure their place in the World Cup's last 16. The match, played in a sweltering Miami Stadium, tested Argentina's mettle against a debutant team that displayed incredible grit and determination.

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The match was incredibly tough. You always have to take the positive, and it’s that this team never gives up.

Cape Verde, participating in their first World Cup, twice came from behind to level the score, showcasing their own quality and never-say-die attitude. Lionel Messi had given Argentina the lead in the 29th minute, but Deroy Duarte equalized just before the hour mark. In the first period of extra time, Lisandro Martinez appeared to have secured the win for Argentina, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to curl in a stunning equalizer, setting the stage for a tense finale.

The decisive moment came six minutes into the second period of extra time when Cristian Romero headed home off the arm of Cape Verde's Diney Borges following a Lionel Messi corner. Despite the late own goal, Cape Verde had a final chance, but Emiliano Martinez made a crucial save to deny Lopes Cabral's free kick.

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I want to congratulate our opponents. Today they showed they are a great team. When it is said there are no easy matches in the World Cup, it’s true.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the immense difficulty of the match, congratulating his opponents and highlighting his team's resilience. "The match was incredibly tough. You always have to take the positive, and it’s that this team never gives up," Scaloni stated. Cape Verde's coach, Bubista, expressed immense pride in his team's performance, saying, "We must take pride in what we’ve done for our country. To be able to play the way we did against the world champions, and to draw level twice, is something incredible."

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I’m proud of my team, the work they’ve put in. We must take pride in what we’ve done for our country. To be able to play the way we did against the world champions, and to draw level twice, is something incredible.