Argentina needed extra time to see off a spirited Cape Verde side at the FIFA World Cup 2026, eventually winning 3-2 in a Round of 32 clash that swung back and forth deep into added time.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, slotting home to give Argentina the lead they had dominated large stretches of the first half to earn. Cape Verde refused to fold, however, and levelled through Duarte in the 59th minute to send the game into a nervy final stretch.
Argentina looked to have done enough when Lautaro Martinez restored their lead deep into stoppage time, finishing in the 92nd minute to make it 2-1 as normal time expired. But Cape Verde produced another twist in extra time, with Lopes Cabral levelling again in the 103rd minute to send shockwaves through the stadium.
Argentina finally settled the tie in the 111th minute when Cape Verde’s Borges turned the ball into his own net under pressure, completing a 3-2 scoreline that barely tells the story of a match that could have gone either way until the final whistle.
For Cape Verde, the run ends at the Round of 32, but their performance — taking a heavily fancied Argentina side to extra time and twice threatening a historic upset — will be remembered as one of the standout stories of the competition so far.
Argentina now advance to the Round of 16, where they’ll await the winner of another Round of 32 tie. Stay with VIRA Broadcasting for full coverage as the knockout bracket takes shape.
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