Argentina into last 16 with dramatic extra-time win over Cape Verde
· Yahoo Sports
World champions Argentina made it to the last 16 of the World Cup with a dramatic 3-2 win after extra-time against debutants Cape Verde on Friday.
Cape Verde fans burst into tears when Deroy Duarte's goal in the 59th minute cancelled out Lionel Messi's first-half opener.
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Goalkeeper Vozinha also made superb saves to hold on to the draw, denying Messi a winner three times.
Argentina immediately got down to business and needed only two minutes into extra-time to retake the lead thanks to Lisandro Martinez.
The title holders were again stunned when Sidney Lopes Cabral whipped a stunning curling strike on the left to equalize in the 103rd.
But it was Diney Borges who sealed the fate of Argentina in the 111th as he deflected Christian Romero's header into his own goal. Cape Verde couldn't hit back this time, despite their heroic efforts.
Argentina will now face Egypt, who earlier beat Australia 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
"It was a really tough match. You always have to focus on the positives. This team never gives up. And I have to give credit to our opponents. Today Cape Verde proved they're a great team. The truth is, everyone finished really tired, because they gave it their all," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said.
"This is Argentina... If you don't understand that, it's hard. We Argentines will understand it, because nothing comes easy."
Reigning champions v underdogs
Messi extended his record to 20 goals at World Cups and scored his seventh of this tournament to give Argentina the lead in the 29th minute.
Lisandro Martinez played a pass over the Cape Verde defence and Messi perfectly timed his run to receive the ball and hammer it into the net.
Argentina seemed to be satisfied with the result, but were taken aback when Cape Verde hit back to equalize in the 59th.
Duarte escaped the defence to collect a ball from Ryan Mendes before firing it through the legs of Lisandro Martinez and past goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Keeper Vozinha then had to work hard to keep Cape Verde in the game. He first denied Messi from close range just three minutes after the equalizer.
Argentina had a free-kick in the 73rd and Vozinha wasn't ready for it as he was setting up his wall. Messi was quick to take the kick but the goalkeeper still managed to make an excellent save.
Messi had another free-kick in stoppage time which took a deflection, but Vozinha again did a great job.
He was beaten, however, early in extra-time as Lisandro Martinez smashed the ball into the roof of the net from a corner in the 93rd.
Cape Verde were not done yet and Lopes Cabral's stunner from distance in the 103rd kept their hopes alive.
Messi was again denied by Vozinha two minutes later, but the keeper couldn't do anything when Borges accidentally deflected the ball into his own target in the 111th to give Argentina the winner.
Borges almost got redemption but his header from point blank range was saved by Emiliano Martinez in the 119th.
"We dignify what our country is. We drew twice against the world champions, we took it to extra-time... More than anything, we are proud of our players. We showed our identity," Cape Verde coach Bubista said.
His nation says farewell to their first-ever World Cup in a honourable way. In their group stage campaign they also stunned 2010 champions Spain in a goalless clash and two-time winners Uruguay in a 2-2 draw.
Argentina's Lionel Messi and Cape Verde's Steven Moreira in action during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde at the Miami Gardens. Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA Press Wire/dpaCape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha reacts after conceding Argentina's first goal scored by Lionel Messi during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde at the Miami Gardens. Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA Press Wire/dpaArgentina's Lionel Messi scores his side's first goal past Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde at the Miami Gardens. Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa