The reigning World Cup champions Argentina survived Cape Verde 3-2 in added extra time during a Group of 32 contest on Friday night at Miami Stadium. Argentina advanced to the Round of 16 knockout stage and will face Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday. Cape Verde is the smallest-populated nation in this year's tournament with 500,000 people.
Argentina got out to a 1-0 advantage during the 29th minute of play. Lisandro Martinez lobbed a lead pass from the midfield circle and Inter Miami CF midfielder Lionel Messi roofed a left-footed, half-volley shot from four yards away. It was a Messi's 20th career World Cup goal and his seventh goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament.
Messi is the first player since the 1960s to score in five consecutive World Cup knockoff stage games. He matched his goal total of seven in 2022 when he captured the Golden Ball Award and the World Cup championship. Messi extended his record World Cup goal-scoring streak to eight games.
In the second half, Cape Verde evened it up 1-1 in the 59th minute. Deroy Duarte placed in an eight-yard shot with his right foot. The contest would go to added extra time for 30 minutes.
It became 2-1 for Argentina as they scored during the 92nd minute. Martinez was able to put in the tally with his left foot as he lifted the ball from nine yards away.
Cape Verde tied it up again 2-2 in the 103rd minute. Sidny Lopes Cabral was on the left side and curled a right-footed shot from 17 yards out into the top right corner of the cage.
Argentina reclaimed the lead 3-2 in the 111th minute of play. Messi crossed the ball on a left corner kick. Romero headed the ball from five yards off the arm of defender Diney Borges for an own goal.
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