Argentina narrowly avoided an early exit in the World Cup knockout stage, defeating Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time in a thrilling encounter at Miami Stadium.
Cristian Romero’s deflected header in the 111th minute, via a corner from Lionel Messi, clinched the win for the reigning champions. However, the African debutants pushed Argentina to the brink, twice equalizing to threaten one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
Messi opened the scoring with a clinical finish in the first half, but Deroy Duarte’s second-half equalizer silenced the pro-Argentina crowd. Lisandro Martínez restored the lead early in extra time, only for Sidny Cabral to produce a stunning strike to level the match again.
Despite the late drama, Emiliano Martínez’s crucial save on Cabral’s free kick preserved Argentina’s progression. The result marked a narrow escape for the six-time champions, who faced a resilient Cape Verde side that showcased their potential with disciplined defending and moments of brilliance.
Underdog Cape Verde Pushes Argentina to the Limit
The 67th-ranked Cape Verde nearly caused a seismic upset against the top-ranked Argentina, demonstrating the unpredictability of the World Cup knockout rounds.
Manager Lionel Scaloni had cautioned his team against complacency, and Cape Verde’s performance validated his concerns. Goalkeeper Vozinha made eight saves, including critical stops in extra time, to prolong the match and keep the underdogs in contention.
Argentina’s vulnerabilities were exposed throughout, with defensive lapses and misplaced passes creating opportunities for Cape Verde. This performance raises questions about Argentina’s readiness as they advance to face Egypt in the next round.
Messi’s Milestone Performance
Lionel Messi continued to anchor Argentina’s campaign, scoring his seventh goal of the tournament and extending his record as the all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history to 20 goals.
The 39-year-old played the entire 120 minutes, contributing a goal, nine shots, and the pivotal assist. Teammate Alexis Mac Allister praised Messi’s influence, emphasizing his irreplaceable role in the team’s success.
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Buenos Aires celebrates Messi’s opening goal against Cape Verde
Lisandro Martínez’s Resurgence
Lisandro Martínez, who struggled with injuries at Manchester United this season, delivered a standout performance. His precise long pass set up Messi’s opening goal, and his composure in extra time highlighted his importance to Argentina’s backline.
Argentina’s Miami Homecoming
The match felt like a home fixture for Argentina, with Miami Stadium awash in blue and white as fans created an electric atmosphere. The support remained unwavering even during tense moments, underscoring the team’s special connection to the venue.
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Chaos in Cape Verde as stunning goal shocks Argentina
Cape Verde’s remarkable run ends but leaves a lasting legacy, inspiring hopes of future World Cup qualifications for the island nation.
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