Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 after extra-time thriller

Argentina were pushed to the very limit before sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory over Cape Verde after extra time in a pulsating World Cup knockout clash.

A huge moment from Emiliano Martínez! Lopes Cabral goes for it again, and with dip and movement on the strike, Martínez is forced into a brilliant tip over for a corner.

Argentina strike again in extra time! From a Messi corner, Cristian Romero rises highest and powers a brilliant header into the net to make it 3-2. The go-ahead goal for Argentina was credited as an own-goal after Romero's header deflected off Cape Verde's Diney Borges.

Messi is denied once more by Vozinha! The ball drops kindly inside the box, and the Cape Verde keeper reacts brilliantly to get down and make the save. But the danger isn’t over — the rebound falls loose and is eventually turned in!

That is arguably the goal of the tournament — and what a moment to produce it. Lopes Cabral cuts in from the left, about 20 yards out, and unleashes an outrageous curling strike that flies into the top right corner, giving Emiliano Martínez absolutely no chance. He immediately races into the stands to celebrate with supporters and find his loved ones — and honestly, you can’t blame him. What a goal. Wow!

Cape Verde win two quick corners as they push forward in search of an equaliser. Argentina are under pressure, forced to stay compact as the set-pieces come in with intensity, but they manage to clear their lines for now.

Argentina regain the lead in stoppage time! From a corner, the ball drops inside the box and Lisandro Martínez reacts quickest, smashing home in a scrappy goalmouth moment. Cape Verde are stunned as Argentina take a dramatic late lead.

Full Time: Extra Time Needed After 1-1 Stalemate

Lionel Messi's free-kick is brilliantly saved by Vozinha, who gets a strong hand to the effort. The rebound drops inside the box, but the resulting header lacks power and is comfortably gathered by the Cape Verde goalkeeper.

Leandro Paredes unleashes a powerful long-range effort from outside the box, but Vozinha is equal to it, getting behind the shot and holding on comfortably to keep the score level at 1-1.

90' Eight minutes of extra time | Argentina 1-1 Cape Verde

A close call for Cape Verde! Nahuel Molina whips a dangerous low ball across the face of goal, forcing Pico Lopes to stretch and intercept. The defender does just enough to steer it wide of his own net, conceding a corner and preventing what could have been a costly own goal.

Kevin Pina tries his luck from around 35 yards with a speculative free-kick, but this time he can't replicate his earlier heroics. The effort flies well over the bar, and Argentina restart with a goal kick.

Players pause for the hydration break with the score still 1-1. Argentina have pushed hard in search of a second goal, but Cape Verde's disciplined defence has stood firm, frustrating the defending champions.

What a save by Vozinha! Lionel Messi curls a superb free-kick towards the top corner, but the Cape Verde goalkeeper produces a brilliant stop to push the ball away and keep the score level at 1-1.

The first yellow card of the match goes to Kevin Pina, who brings down Lionel Messi around 25 yards from goal as the Argentina captain drives forward. But freekick hit the wall and was cleared. 

What a chance for Lionel Messi! A perfectly weighted through ball sends the Argentina captain clear on goal, but his low effort is smothered by Vozinha, who stands tall to keep the score at 1-1. Messi is left frustrated, knowing he usually buries those opportunities. Argentina respond with a double substitution as Julián Álvarez and Nicolás González come on to inject fresh energy into the attack.

Ryan Mendes breaks down the right flank and delivers a perfectly weighted pass into the box for Deroy Duarte. The midfielder takes an excellent first touch before drilling a low shot through Lisandro Martínez's legs and into the far corner, leaving Emiliano Martínez with no chance. Cape Verde are back on level terms at 1-1.

Good save by Emiliano Martínez! Cape Verde come close as a cross into the box is only partially cleared, with the loose ball falling to Laros Duarte. He takes a touch and fires a low shot, but Martínez gets down well to gather the effort and preserve Argentina's 1-0 lead.

A brilliant diagonal pass from Messi from the halfway line picks out Nahuel Molina racing into the right side of the penalty area. With only the goalkeeper to beat, the Argentina full-back fails to bring the ball under control, and it runs out of play, wasting a golden opportunity to double the lead.

Cape Verde begin the second half on the front foot, earning two quick corners as they search for an equaliser. The first delivery is cleared before Jovane Cabral's follow-up effort takes a deflection behind for another corner.

The second half is underway in Miami as Argentina look to build on their 1-0 lead, while Cape Verde search for an equaliser to keep their FIFA World Cup 2026 hopes alive.

Argentina have edged the first half with 64% possession, 386 passes at 94% accuracy, producing four shots with three on target. Cape Verde have stayed in the contest despite seeing just 36% possession, completing 183 passes at 87% accuracy, but have managed only two shots, with none on target.

Argentina 1-0 Cape Verde

What a strike, and what a save! Enzo unleashes a powerful effort from the edge of the box, but the Cape Verde goalkeeper reacts superbly to push the shot away and keep Argentina's lead at 1-0.

Steven Moreira makes a promising run down the right, but his hurried cross sails harmlessly out for a goal kick. Cape Verde are showing glimpses on the flanks, yet Nuno da Costa remains isolated up front as Argentina continue to limit the visitors' attacking opportunities.

Cape Verde tries to respond as Lopes Cabral swings a cross towards the far post from the left flank, but he overhits the delivery, and it sails harmlessly out for an Argentina goal kick.

A superb long ball from Lisandro Martínez catches the Cape Verde defence off guard. Messi times his run perfectly, controls the ball brilliantly inside the box, keeps his composure, and calmly slots it past the goalkeeper to give Argentina the lead in spectacular fashion.

Cape Verde are beginning to find space on the counter and have enjoyed a few promising attacks, but they have yet to create a clear-cut chance. Argentina, meanwhile, continue to dominate possession and patiently build from the back, with Messi being closely marked whenever he gets on the ball.

A long ball picks out Nahuel Molina on the right, and he cleverly squares it towards Lionel Messi inside the box. But Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha reacts quickly, rushing off his line to smother the ball before Messi can get a meaningful touch.

Lionel Messi wins a free-kick just outside the penalty area after being fouled by Jovane Cabral. The Argentina captain steps up, but his effort lacks power and is comfortably collected by the Cape Verde goalkeeper without any real trouble.

A slick Argentina move ends with the ball falling to Lionel Messi inside the box. The captain tries his luck from a difficult angle, but his effort flashes wide without seriously troubling the Cape Verde goalkeeper.

Argentina are comfortably controlling possession as they probe for an opening. Cape Verde remain compact, looking to soak up pressure before launching quick counter-attacks with long balls into the wide areas.

Cape Verde threaten on the counter as skipper Ryan Mendes bursts down the right before cutting inside and firing at goal. His effort takes a slight deflection off Cristian Romero, making it a comfortable save for Emiliano Martinez, who gathers cleanly.

Cape Verde win a free-kick in a dangerous area and deliver it into the box, but Cristian Romero rises to clear the danger. The ball goes out for a throw-in, and Argentina successfully deal with the early threat.

Argentina have settled quickly, dominating possession. The defending champions are moving the ball sharply, while Cape Verde are struggling to keep hold of possession in the opening exchanges.

We're underway in Miami! Argentina and Cape Verde have kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash.

Cape Verde head coach Bubista has made five changes to the side that secured qualification with a draw against Saudi Arabia. Sidny Lopes Cabral and Steven Moreira come in at full-back, while Laros Duarte returns to midfield alongside his brother Deroy Duarte. Further forward, Jovane Cabral starts on the wing, with Nuno da Costa replacing Dailon Livramento in attack for the Round of 32 clash against Argentina.

Cape Verde: Vozinha, Pico Lopes, Diney Borges, Sidny Cabral, Steven Moreira, Ryan Mendes (C), Laros Duarte, Jovane Cabral, Deroy Duarte, Kevin Pina, Nuno da Costa.

Egypt are through to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 after edging Australia 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. Egypt converted all four of their spot-kicks, with Mohamed Salah confidently chipping home a Panenka, to seal progression. The Pharaohs will now face the winner of Argentina vs Cape Verde in the Round of 16.

Opta's supercomputer heavily favours Argentina ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash, giving the defending champions an 84.1% chance of victory. Cape Verde have just a 4.8% chance of pulling off a major upset, while the probability of the match ending level after 90 minutes stands at 11.1%.

Lionel Messi becomes the first player ever to make 30 appearances at the World Cup. 

Vozinha, Diney Borges, Pico Lopes, Sidny Lopes Cabral, Steven Moreira, Kevin Pina, Jovane ‌Cabral, ‌Deroy Duarte, Laros Duarte, Ryan Mendes (captain), Nuno da Costa.

Emiliano Martinez, Lisandro Martinez, ⁠Cristian Romero, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Lionel Messi (captain), Thiago Almada, Lautaro ‌Martinez.