Defending champions Argentina survived a major FIFA World Cup scare on Friday, defeating tournament debutants Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time to book their place in the Round of 16.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina, but the resilient Africans twice fought back to force extra time in a thrilling contest before an extra-time own goal finally settled the encounter.
Argentina will now face Egypt in the Round of 16 after the Pharaohs eliminated Australia on penalties earlier in the day.
Messi gave the reigning champions the lead in the 29th minute, finishing brilliantly after controlling a long pass from Lisandro Martínez before firing into the roof of the net for his seventh goal of the tournament and 20th World Cup goal across six editions of the competition.
Cape Verde refused to be intimidated and drew level just before the hour mark when Deroy Duarte controlled Ryan Mendes’ cross before firing beyond goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
The scores remained level at the end of normal time, sending the tie into extra time.
Argentina restored their advantage almost immediately after the restart, with Lisandro Martínez unleashing a powerful strike into the roof of the net to make it 2-1.
However, Cape Verde responded again in remarkable fashion as left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral curled a superb effort into the top corner in the 103rd minute to level the scores at 2-2.
With penalties looming, Argentina found the decisive breakthrough six minutes into the second half of extra time. Messi’s corner was met by Cristian Romero, whose header deflected off Cape Verde defender Diney Borges and into the net for the winning goal.
Cape Verde nearly forced another equaliser in the closing stages, but Emiliano Martínez produced an outstanding save to deny Lopes Cabral’s free-kick and preserve Argentina’s victory.
Despite the defeat, Cape Verde earned widespread praise for an outstanding World Cup debut. Ranked 67th in the world before the tournament, the Blue Sharks became the only World Cup debutants to reach the Round of 32 and pushed the three-time world champions to the limit with an impressive display of resilience, disciplined defending, and attacking quality.
Captain Ryan Mendes, midfielder Deroy Duarte, defender Kevin Pina, and goalkeeper Vozinha were among the standout performers as Cape Verde ended their historic campaign with heads held high after earning group-stage draws against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia before pushing Argentina to extra time.
Argentina, meanwhile, remain on course to defend their World Cup crown but will know significant improvement is required when they face Egypt in the Round of 16.
