Messi answers the call once again as Argentina survive scare

Lionel Messi once again stole the World Cup spotlight as Argentina edged out Cape Verde 3-2 in an extra-time thriller on Friday. However, his virtuoso performance only reaffirmed the perception that the reigning champions are still overly reliant on one man.

Messi guided Argentina to a long-awaited title in 2022, consistently stepping up when pressure mounted. Now, at 39, he continues to bend the tournament to his will and break records. His longevity has long been established, but coach Lionel Scaloni faces the ongoing challenge of how Argentina can succeed without their "little genius" solving all their problems.

From the outset, all of Argentina's attacks flowed through Messi. He opened the scoring with a delicate first touch and precise finish after Cape Verde's rhythm was interrupted by a hydration break. Despite Messi's efforts, Cape Verde fought back, equalizing just before the hour mark.

Once again, Messi made all the running as Argentina sought a winner. His "gravitational pull" in midfield was undeniable, even as his teammates struggled to penetrate Cape Verde's defense. Messi consistently won free kicks and took the corners. The winning goal came from a deflected header by Cristian Romero after Messi's pinpoint delivery found the defender making his run. The 2022 triumph was romanticized by Messi finally winning the World Cup, but the reality in 2026 is that Argentina continues to lean heavily on him with a faith bordering on dependency.