Argentina narrowly defeated Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time during their World Cup Round of 32 match on Friday, advancing to the last 16. The defending champions faced a fierce challenge from the African debutants, who twice equalized before ultimately falling short.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute with his record-extending 20th World Cup goal, putting Argentina ahead 1-0. However, Cape Verde's Deroy Duarte equalized just before halftime, sending the match into extra time. Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina's lead in the 103rd minute, but Sidny Lopes Cabral quickly responded with a stunning equalizer, setting up a dramatic finish. Cristian Romero's header in the 111th minute, which deflected off Cape Verde's Diney Borges, sealed Argentina's victory.
Cape Verde, ranked 67th in the world, put up a spirited performance, drawing with Spain and Uruguay in the group stage before their historic run ended against Argentina. Coach Bubista expressed pride in his team's effort, highlighting their resilience and character despite the loss. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the difficulty of the match, emphasizing his team's resilience and determination to overcome the underdogs.
The match was marked by intense drama, with Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha delivering a standout performance. The 40-year-old goalkeeper, who had previously drawn praise for his efforts against Spain, kept Argentina at bay for much of the game. Despite the loss, Cape Verde's campaign was celebrated as a historic achievement for the small island nation.
Argentina will now face Egypt in the Round of 16, while Cape Verde's journey at the World Cup comes to an end. The match underscored the unpredictability of the tournament, with underdogs pushing the defending champions to their limits.