Defending champions Argentina needed a nerve-wracking extra-time goal to beat Cabo Verde 3-2 and book their place in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The scoreline stood level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, sending the match into extra time, where Cabo Verde pushed Argentina to the brink before a late strike settled the contest.
Messi opens the scoring, Cabo Verde hits back
Lionel Messi broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead at half time. Cabo Verde responded in the second half when Deroy Duarte found the net in the 59th minute to level the score at 1-1. Neither side could find a breakthrough for the remainder of regulation time, forcing the match into extra time.
Extra time swings both ways
Argentina looked to have done enough when Lisandro Martinez scored in the 93rd minute to make it 2-1 in the first half of extra time. But Cabo Verde refused to fold, with Sidnei Lopes Cabral scoring a superb goal to draw the match level again at 2-2, stunning the Argentine fans inside the stadium.
Romero's late strike saves the champions
With the tie level and tension mounting, Argentina found their winner in the second half of extra time. Cristian Romero converted in the 110th minute off a brilliant corner delivery from Lionel Messi, putting Argentina 3-2 ahead. That goal proved decisive, as Argentina held on to seal a hard-fought win and advance to the Round of 16.
A nation of 600,000 that refused to back down
Cabo Verde, playing at their first-ever FIFA World Cup, took the reigning champions all the way to extra time despite having a population of just 600,000. Their performance energised spectators and forced a much-fancied Argentina side to fight until the final whistle before somehow escaping with their reputation intact.
