Look: Argentina survive heroic Cape Verde fightback to reach World Cup last 16
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Argentina narrowly defeated Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time to advance to the World Cup last 16.
- Lionel Messi scored his 20th World Cup goal, but Cape Verde mounted a strong comeback, forcing extra time.
- Argentina will face Egypt next, while Cape Verde's historic first World Cup appearance ends after a spirited performance.
Argentina survived a heroic comeback from Cape Verde to reach the World Cup last 16, winning 3-2 after extra time. Lionel Messi scored his 20th World Cup goal, but the match proved a significant scare for the defending champions.
Messi's sublime control and finish put Argentina in command, but Cape Verde, playing in their first World Cup, refused to be intimidated. Deroy Duarte's goal on the hour mark forced Argentina to expend more energy than planned in the Miami heat.
the game of our lives
Lisandro Martinez briefly restored Argentina's lead in extra time before Sidny Lopes Cabral equalized with a stunning shot. Cristian Romero ultimately secured the win for Argentina with a header from a Messi corner that deflected in for an own goal.
Argentina will now face Egypt, but coach Lionel Scaloni had concerns on his 100th match in charge despite the seemingly favorable draw. Cape Verde had previously drawn with Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia in the group stage, showcasing their capability.
the game of our lives
Originally published by Khaleej Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.