Argentina Overcome Cape Verde Scare in Dramatic Fashion

Argentina needed extra time for a record 12th FIFA World Cup knockout match before beating Cape Verde 3-2 in the Round of 32 in Florida.

Lionel Messi found the first breakthrough for Argentina just before the 30-minute mark. He brought down a long pass from Lisandro Martínez with great control before calmly finishing into the roof of the net. The goal gave Argentina the lead and moved Messi to the top of the Golden Boot race with his seventh goal of the tournament.

Argentina came close to doubling their lead before halftime when Enzo Fernández curled a first-time shot from the edge of the box, but Vozinha made a fine save. Cape Verde managed to keep the score at 1-0 going into the break.

After the restart, Cape Verde found the equalizer they had been pushing for. Ryan Mendes played a perfect pass to Duarte, who finished confidently from a tight angle into the bottom corner. It was the Blue Sharks' first-ever goal in a FIFA World Cup knockout match.

Argentina then found it difficult to create clear chances late in normal time, allowing Cape Verde to force the match into extra time. However, Argentina needed only a few minutes after the restart to go back in front. A corner reached Lisandro Martínez at the far post, and after setting up the opening goal earlier in the match, he fired the ball into the top corner.

However, the lead did not last long. Cape Verde stunned Argentina once again as Sidny Lopes Cabral curled a brilliant shot into the top corner from a tight angle, scoring one of the best goals of the tournament and making it 2-2.

Cape Verde's dream run finally came to an end as Argentina took the lead for a third time. Cristian Romero met Lionel Messi's corner with a strong header, and the ball took a slight touch off Diney Borges before finding the back of the net.

With the last strike, Argentina held on to book their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, where they will face Egypt. Cape Verde bowed out after suffering their first defeat of the tournament, ending a memorable World Cup campaign with plenty to be proud of.