Argentina reached the World Cup last 16 after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde, sealed by Diney Borges’ unfortunate own goal. Lionel Messi scored first on a historic 30th World Cup appearance, yet Cape Verde twice drew level before La Albiceleste finally booked a meeting with Egypt.

The defending champions were pushed to the limit by Cape Verde, who played a knockout match at their first World Cup. Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero both scored in extra time, but Sidny Cabral’s stunning strike briefly revived Cape Verde’s hopes in a match that kept tension high throughout.

The decisive moment came late in extra time from a Messi corner. Romero escaped his marker and flicked a header towards the top-right corner, where the ball struck Borges and crossed the line. The own goal finally ended Cape Verde’s resistance, leaving the underdogs devastated but widely respected for their display.

Earlier in extra time, Argentina thought the contest had swung their way when Lisandro Martinez struck in the 92nd minute. The defender reacted fastest to Alexis Mac Allister’s near-post flick from another Messi corner and drove a rising shot beyond Vozinha. However, Cape Verde refused to fold and soon produced another reply.

Cabral produced perhaps the match’s most eye-catching goal in the 103rd minute. Cutting in from distance, Cabral bent a superb shot into the top-right corner, leaving Emiliano Martinez rooted. Later, Cabral threatened again with a powerful free-kick, which the Argentina goalkeeper pushed away as nerves grew among the holders.

Messi had already tested Vozinha before the scoring began. In the 15th minute, Messi dragged one shot wide of the right post. A few minutes later, a 25-yard free-kick went straight into the goalkeeper’s gloves. Cape Verde’s backline initially held firm, but eventually Messi found the space needed to punish them.

The breakthrough arrived after 29 minutes at Miami Stadium. Messi sprinted off Borges’ shoulder to control Lisandro Martinez’s precise long pass. With one smooth motion, Messi lifted the ball past Vozinha at the near post. The finish underlined Messi’s composure and seemed to put Argentina on course for a routine last-32 victory.

Cape Verde grew stronger after half-time and showed far greater ambition. Deroy Duarte warned Argentina with one effort that forced Emiliano Martinez into action, then struck a deserved equaliser shortly before the hour mark. Duarte fired low across goal from the right side of the box, beating both Lisandro Martinez and Emiliano Martinez.

The leveller jolted Argentina. Messi soon burst through one-on-one, only for Vozinha to block the attempt. The veteran goalkeeper reacted again when Messi took a quick free-kick, scrambling the ball away from the top-left corner. Those interventions kept Cape Verde in contention and increased anxiety among Argentina supporters inside Miami Stadium.

Argentina vs Cape Verde World Cup stats, records and milestones

Messi’s first-half strike added another chapter to an already historic World Cup record. That goal stretched Messi’s all-time World Cup tally to 20 and extended a run of scoring in eight straight tournament games. It also made Messi the first player to hit seven or more goals at two World Cups, in 2022 and 2026.

By scoring in five successive knockout matches, Messi matched the longest streak in competition history. The Argentina captain joined Leonidas of Brazil, Gyorgy Sarosi of Hungary and Vava of Brazil, who all scored in five straight knockout appearances between 1934 and 1962. Messi’s consistency again defined Argentina’s attacking threat.

Messi’s influence in knockout rounds also reached new heights. With six goals and six assists, Messi moved to 12 goal involvements in World Cup knockout matches since 1966. That figure took Messi beyond both Pele and Kylian Mbappe over the same stage of the tournament, highlighting sustained production in the decisive games.

Lisandro Martinez also reached a notable personal landmark during the contest. By scoring and assisting in the same World Cup match, Lisandro Martinez became the first Argentina player other than Messi to achieve that feat since Hernan Crespo and Carlos Tevez did so against Serbia in June 2006. The defender’s contributions proved crucial.

Cape Verde’s performance ensured Argentina never settled despite those milestones. Duarte’s accurate strike and Cabral’s superb curler will hold a special place in Cape Verdean football history. Although Cape Verde left the tournament without a win, the team showed organisation, belief and technical quality against an elite opponent that struggled for attacking fluency.

For Lionel Scaloni, this tense occasion coincided with a personal achievement, as the Argentina coach oversaw a 100th match in charge. The 3-2 extra-time success secured Argentina’s passage to the last 16, where Egypt await. Cape Verde departed with broken hearts, yet with considerable credit earned from a gripping World Cup classic.

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