Argentina are through to the World Cup round of 16 after a 3-2 extra-time win over Cape Verde in Miami. Lionel Messi scored the opener, but the match was only settled in the 111th minute by a Diney Borges own goal from a Messi set piece.
Cape Verde twice fought back against the FIFA No. 1 side. Deroy Duarte cancelled out Messi’s first-half goal, and after Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina’s lead in extra time, Sidny Lopes Cabral produced another equalizer before the late own goal shifted the tie for good.
Vozinha played a major role in keeping Cape Verde alive, making several saves from Messi attempts, while Emiliano Martínez was also needed late to stop Cape Verde from forcing another response. The match underlined how close Argentina came to a historic knockout upset against a side ranked 67th by FIFA.
Messi’s tournament continues to build statistically as well as emotionally: the source report credits him with seven goals at this World Cup, one ahead of Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race. It also notes that Messi has now scored in eight consecutive World Cup appearances and has reached 30 men’s World Cup appearances, extending his record.
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