Defending champions Argentina narrowly avoided one of the biggest upsets in football history, overcoming a resilient Cape Verde side 3-2 after extra time in a thrilling Round of 32 clash at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Playing at the Miami Stadium in Florida, the tournament favorites were pushed to their absolute limits by the African debutants, who twice fought back from behind before an unfortunate late error decided the match.
Argentina’s talismanic captain Lionel Messi broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, capitalizing on a clinical opportunity to net his 20th career World Cup goal and move to the top of the tournament’s Golden Boot standings. Cape Verde refused to back down, however, and stunned the South American giants in the 58th minute when Deroy Duarte fired home a well-deserved equalizer. The regular 90 minutes ended locked at 1-1, forcing the high-stakes knockout match into a tense extra-time period.
The drama intensified immediately in extra time as Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina’s lead in the 91st minute, only for Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral to answer back with a spectacular curling effort into the top corner in the 102nd minute. The decisive moment finally arrived in the 110th minute when a dangerous Argentinian set-piece forced an own goal from Cape Verde defender Diney. With this hard-fought victory, Argentina books their spot in the Round of 16—where they will face Egypt in Atlanta on July 7—while Cape Verde exits the tournament earning massive global respect.
