Argentina narrowly defeats Cape Verde in extra time

Argentina netted a crucial World Cup goal courtesy of a hand, but the play was entirely within the rules.

In the 111th minute, Cristian Romero redirected Lionel Messi’s corner kick off the hand of Cape Verde defender Diney Borges, sending the ball inside the far post to seal a 3‑2 extra‑time victory in the round of 32 for the defending champions—a thrilling World Cup encounter in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Lionel Messi notched his 20th World Cup goal and his seventh of the tournament early on, while Lisandro Martínez found the net early in extra time to put Argentina ahead 2‑1.

Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to advance to the World Cup knockout stage, responded quickly. Deroy Duarte’s 59th‑minute equalizer was a just reward for his team’s energetic second half, and Sidny Lopes Cabral’s world‑class strike leveled the score at 2‑2 in the 103rd minute.

Four decades and eleven days after Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal—a play that would surely be disallowed today with VAR—the handball this time was perfectly legal, as it involved a defender.

The advantage rule permits referees to overlook a foul, including a handball, by the defending side when it aids the attacking team. Had Borges’ handball blocked Romero’s header from crossing the line, the officials would likely have awarded Argentina a penalty kick.

Emiliano Martínez delivered two key late saves, including stopping another effort from Cabral, securing Argentina’s place in the round of 16 against Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday.

The match proved to be Argentina’s toughest test of the tournament, and Cape Verde will be remembered as one of the competition’s feel‑good stories.

Although they became the seventh African team eliminated, they garnered worldwide respect after holding World Cup winners Spain and Uruguay to draws.

After taking a 1‑0 lead late in the first half via Messi’s 29th‑minute strike, Argentina reclaimed the advantage just two minutes into extra time.

Messi delivered a corner to the near post, where Alexis Mac Allister flicked it on with a header.

The ball then ricocheted across the goalmouth before Lisandro Martínez arrived on the far side of the penalty area, took a touch, and drove a left‑footed shot past Vozinha into the top of the net.

Against the odds, Cape Verde equalized once more thanks to a world‑class strike by Lopes Cabral.

With Mac Allister marking him, Lopes Cabral received the ball on the left edge of the box, slipped past the defender, and curled a looping shot past the goalkeeper into the top‑right corner.

The 40‑year‑old Vozinha was credited with eight saves, having already made seven in the tournament’s opening goalless draw against Spain.

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