Nigeria, Cape Verde share World Cup scoring history against Argentina

Cape Verde has etched its name in World Cup history, joining Nigeria as the only African nations to score more than one goal against Argentina in a single match. The West African nation achieved this distinction in a thrilling 3-2 extra-time defeat against the two-time world champions in the tournament's round of 32.

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The Super Eagles’ own piece of history against the South Americans came in their final Group F match at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre on June 25, 2014, when Ahmed Musa scored twice in a pulsating 3-2 defeat that nonetheless was enough to send Nigeria into the World Cup knockout stages for the first time since 1998.

Making their debut on the World Cup stage, Cape Verde became the first African team ever to score two or more goals against a defending champion. They twice equalized against Lionel Messi's Argentina before ultimately being eliminated. Deroy Duarte's 59th-minute strike leveled the score, and Sidny Lopes Cabral's curling effort in extra time again pulled them level, only for a late goal to seal their fate.

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Messi had given Argentina an early lead inside three minutes, only for Musa to level almost immediately with a curling effort from Michael Babatunde’s pass, in what was Nigeria’s fastest-ever response to a goal at a World Cup.

This remarkable performance draws parallels with Nigeria's own historic encounter against Argentina in the 2014 World Cup. The Super Eagles also scored twice in a pulsating 3-2 defeat, a result that propelled Nigeria into the knockout stages for the first time since 1998. Ahmed Musa was the hero that day, netting a brace that earned him the Man of The Match award and later drew praise from Messi himself.

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Messi restored Argentina’s lead with a stunning free-kick just before half-time, before Musa struck again two minutes into the second half, combining with Emmanuel Emenike to level the match for a second time.

While Cape Verde's journey ended in heartbreak, their defiant showing, following impressive group stage draws, has been widely compared to Nigeria's 2014 heroics. Both nations now stand as the sole African representatives to have scored at least two goals against Argentina in a World Cup fixture, showcasing a growing prowess on the global stage.

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Musa’s brace that day earned him the Man of The Match award ahead of Messi, and the Argentine great later described the Nigerian forward as one of the finest players he had faced, a comment that resurfaced in football circles years after the encounter.