Defending champions Argentina secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over a resilient Cape Verde side after extra time at the Miami Stadium, booking their spot in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026. A thrilling 1-1 deadlock in regulation sent the match into extra time, where late drama ultimately allowed the defending champions to seal the win.
Argentina took the initial lead in the 29th minute when captain Lionel Messi found the back of the net, giving the South American giants a 1-0 advantage heading into the halftime break. However, Cape Verde bounced back in the second half, with Deroy Duarte scoring an equalizer in the 59th minute. Despite relentless pressure from both sides, the 1-1 deadlock could not be broken during regulation time, forcing the match into a tense extra period.
Argentina wasted no time restoring their advantage, scoring just two minutes into extra time through defender Lisandro Martínez. Yet, Cape Verde showed immense fighting spirit, leveling the score for a second time in the 101st minute through a brilliant strike by Sydney Lopes Cabral. The decisive blow finally came in the 111th minute when Cape Verde's Diney Borges inadvertently scored an own goal, securing Argentina's hard-earned ticket to the pre-quarterfinals.
Despite the heartbreaking exit, Cape Verde made history by reaching the knockout stage in their very first FIFA World Cup appearance, earning widespread praise for their stellar group-stage performances. While they celebrated an iconic run, other tournament debutants—Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan—were less fortunate and bowed out in the group stage.
With this victory, Argentina advances to the Round of 16 where they are scheduled to face Egypt, who made history of their own by defeating Australia last night to reach the knockout phase for the first time. The two sides will now battle for a coveted spot in the quarterfinals.
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