Lionel Messi’s Argentina endured their most demanding test of the 2026 World Cup campaign, securing a 3-2 victory over a resilient Cape Verde side in extra time during their Round of 32 encounter at Miami Stadium.
The match saw Messi break the deadlock early, only for the Blue Sharks to respond twice and level proceedings before the break. Facing elimination in the additional 30 minutes, The Albiceleste demonstrated their tournament pedigree to claim a narrow win.
Post-match, Messi acknowledged Cape Verde’s tactical acumen while emphasizing the challenges ahead. “They exploited our weaknesses effectively. We anticipated the difficulty, and this is the knockout stage—nobody hands you anything here,” he stated.
“The contest was tightly contested from start to finish. Every game in this phase will be fiercely competitive. Our priority now is recovery and preparation for the next round. While we executed some strong plays, we must address the mistakes we made today,” Messi concluded.
Argentina now prepares to face Egypt in the Round of 16, with the clash scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, at Atlanta Stadium. The Pharaohs secured their spot by defeating Australia in a penalty shootout earlier in the day.
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