Cape Verde bowed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a spirited display ended in a 3 2 extra time defeat to Argentina in their round of 32 clash at the Miami Stadium.
The fiercely contested encounter saw Cape Verde fight back twice against the defending champions, but Argentina eventually found a way through in extra time to book their place in the next round.
Lionel Messi had put Argentina in front before Cape Verde responded through Deroy Duarte. Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina’s lead in extra time, only for Sidny Cabral to draw Cape Verde level once again. But with the match heading toward penalties, an own goal by Diney Borges from a Christian Romero header handed Argentina the decisive winner in a dramatic finish.
The game began cautiously, with both teams taking time to settle into their rhythm. Argentina eventually broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when Messi brought down a deep delivery from Lisandro Martinez before calmly guiding his effort past Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha. The goal marked Messi’s eighth straight strike, and he nearly added a second before the break, only to be denied by a sharp save from close range.
Cape Verde grew into the contest as the game progressed and found their equaliser after Argentina eased off the tempo. A swift passing move opened up space for Duarte, who fired a low effort beyond Emiliano Martinez to make it 1 1 and spark belief among the underdogs.
Cape Verde held firm for the rest of regulation time, with Vozinha producing an outstanding performance in goal. The goalkeeper made eight saves in all, including two from Messi free kicks, while the defenders repeatedly threw themselves into crucial blocks to keep Argentina from regaining the lead.
Argentina struck again almost immediately after extra time began. Alexis Mac Allister’s corner found Lisandro Martinez at the back post, and the defender made no mistake as he drove his effort into the roof of the net to make it 2 1.
Still, Cape Verde refused to go away. Cabral produced another moment of quality, curling a superb effort from the edge of the area into the far top corner to bring his side level for the second time and set up a tense finish.
Argentina, however, had the final word. From another set piece, Romero met Messi’s delivery with a header that took a deflection and ended up in the net off Cape Verde’s Diney Borges, sealing a heartbreaking exit for the island nation after a brave and memorable performance.
Emiliano Martinez was also called into action late on, making two important saves to preserve Argentina’s lead as the South Americans survived a major scare to edge through after 120 minutes.
Argentina will now take on Egypt in the round of 16 on July 7.
