Lionel Messi scored his record-extending 20th World Cup goal, but the reigning champions needed a cruel 111th-minute own goal to overcome a resilient Cape Verde side in a thrilling Round of 32 clash
Argentina survived one of the greatest scares in World Cup history on Friday, edging past tournament debutants Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time at Miami Stadium to advance to the Round of 16.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a placed finish past Cape Verdean goalkeeper Vozinha, marking his record-extending 20th career World Cup goal. The Blue Sharks stunned the pro-Argentina crowd in the 59th minute when Deroy Duarte scored a stunning equaliser.
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Argentina regained the lead early in extra time when Lisandro Martínez struck in the 92nd minute from a Messi assist. But Cape Verde refused to fade, pulling level again in the 103rd minute through a bending effort from Sidny Lopes Cabral.
The decisive moment came in the 111th minute when Cape Verdean defender Diney Borges deflected the ball into his own net under pressure, ending the island nation’s fairytale run in heartbreaking fashion.
Argentina controlled possession with 64 percent and registered 21 shots, 10 on target, while Cape Verde managed 15 shots, five on target. The Blue Sharks’ expected goals of 0.47 reflected their clinical efficiency on the counter-attack.
Cape Verde showed unbelievable spirit throughout, silencing the crowd by coming from behind twice. The tiny African island nation, with a population of just 500,000, pushed the defending world champions to their absolute limits.
According to a report by Accra Street Journal, Argentina will face the winner of the Switzerland vs. Algeria match in the Round of 16.
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on July 4, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
