AFCON 2025
Argentina survived a monumental scare from World Cup debutants Cape Verde, edging the African minnows 3-2 after extra time at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami to book a Round of 16 date with Egypt.
Lionel Messi broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, controlling a long diagonal pass before flicking the ball over the onrushing Vozinha. The goal extended his all-time World Cup scoring record to 20 and took him to seven for the tournament, one clear of Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.
Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup knockout stage, refused to fold. Deroy Duarte levelled in the second half, silencing the Argentina-heavy crowd and sending the match into extra time.
Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina’s lead early in the additional period, powering home from a corner. But Cape Verde struck again through Sidny Lopes Cabral, who curled in a stunning equaliser from the edge of the box in what many are already calling a goal of the tournament contender.
Argentina finally found the breakthrough in the 111th minute when Cristian Romero headed in from another Messi corner, the ball deflecting off Cape Verde defender Diney Borges on its way in. Goalkeeper Vozinha, who made 10 saves on the night including five against Messi, could not be blamed for either strike.
Messi admitted afterwards that Argentina had “many” things to correct despite the result, praising Cape Verde’s resistance throughout. The win stretched Argentina’s unbeaten run to 11 matches, the longest winning streak in the team’s history.
Argentina now turn their attention to Egypt in the Round of 16, with the match set for Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Tuesday.
