Defending champions Argentina required the full 120 minutes to overcome a fearless Cape Verde side 3-2 in a FIFA World Cup Round of 32 epic in Miami. Lionel Messi marked his 20th goal in the competition to open the scoring, but the African debutants twice came from behind before Cristian Romero settled the tie deep into extra time.
The holders had swept through Group J with maximum points, while Cape Verde reached the knockout stage via three draws in their maiden tournament appearance. Messi broke the deadlock after 28 minutes with a clinical finish from Lisandro Martínez’s lofted pass, becoming just the second player to reach two decades of World Cup goals. However, Cape Verde stunned the Miami crowd on the hour when Dutch-born midfielder Deroy Duarte lashed home his first international goal.
African underdogs push champions to the brink
Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper who plays for Portuguese second-tier side Chaves, produced a series of magnificent stops to deny Argentina a second and force the contest into extra time. The Blue Sharks’ resilience paid dividends two minutes into the added period when Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina’s lead, converting from close range following a corner.
Still Cape Verde refused to yield. Sidny Lopes Cabral, who was playing in Germany’s third and fourth tiers as recently as the 2024-25 season with Viktoria Köln and Rot-Weiß Erfurt, unleashed a spectacular right-footed strike from the left flank to make it 2-2 in the 102nd minute. The effort, arrowed into the far corner past Emiliano Martínez, stood as one of the goals of the tournament.
Romero decisive as Argentina advance
Argentina finally extinguished the threat with 111 minutes elapsed. Romero rose highest to meet Messi’s delivery from a set-piece, heading home to seal the victory. Cape Verde pressed for a third equaliser and forced Emiliano Martínez into two late saves, including a spectacular denial of a Lopes Cabral free-kick, but the holders held firm to progress.
The victory sets up a Round of 16 clash with Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday evening. That match will see Messi face Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah, with kick-off scheduled for 17:00 BST. Egypt advanced via a penalty shootout victory over Australia, their first-ever knockout stage win, with Salah named Superior Player of the Match. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to make changes for that fixture, with Julián Álvarez replacing Lautaro Martínez in attack.
For Cape Verde, elimination came despite a performance that earned widespread acclaim for their fearless approach against the world champions. The Blue Sharks exit the tournament after a maiden campaign that included draws against established sides and a narrow defeat that will be remembered as one of the competition’s most stirring encounters.