Argentina took a 3-2 lead over Cape Verde in extra time on Friday, with Cristian Romero scoring after the World Cup underdog had stunned the defending champion twice in a dramatic round-of-32 match in Miami.
Lionel Messi appeared to have Argentina on course for another step in its title defense when he opened the scoring in the 29th minute, but Cape Verde refused to collapse. The World Cup debutant grew into the match, threatened repeatedly after halftime and earned its first equalizer through Deroy Duarte in the 59th minute.
The match went to extra time, where Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina’s lead to make it 2-1. Cape Verde answered again through Sidney Lopes Cabral, leveling at 2-2 and keeping its dream alive. But Romero then struck for Argentina’s third, putting Lionel Scaloni’s side back in front and leaving Cape Verde chasing once more.
Argentina entered the round of 32 after a perfect group-stage run, beating Algeria 3-0, Austria 2-0 and Jordan 3-1 to finish first in its group. Messi, 39, had already scored six goals in the tournament before facing Cape Verde, again carrying Lionel Scaloni’s side through another World Cup campaign.
Cape Verde arrived as one of the tournament’s great surprises. In its first World Cup appearance, the African side opened with a 0-0 draw against Spain, followed with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay and then held Saudi Arabia 0-0 to advance from the group stage.
The match in Miami was the first-ever meeting between Argentina and Cape Verde, and the underdog showed from the opening minutes that it had no intention of simply admiring the defending champion. Cape Verde pressed bravely, defended in numbers and looked Argentina in the eye during a balanced start.
Messi scores against Cape Verde
(Photo: Darrian Traynor / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
Messi produced the first real chance in the 15th minute, creating space for himself and sending a shot just wide of Vozinha’s post. Three minutes later, he stood over a free kick in a dangerous position, but his effort lacked power and was easily gathered by the Cape Verde goalkeeper.
The breakthrough came in the 29th minute. Lisandro Martinez played a superb pass into Messi, who controlled it with trademark precision and fired a low, accurate finish past Vozinha to give Argentina a 1-0 lead. It was Messi’s seventh goal of the tournament.
Argentina pushed for a second before halftime, with Enzo Fernandez forcing a good save from Vozinha just before the break. But Cape Verde returned from halftime sharper and more ambitious, holding the ball well and creating the first chance of the second half when Giovani Cabral’s long-range shot was deflected behind for a corner.
Cape Verde players Sidney Lopes Cabral and Deroy Duarte celebrate
(Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The warning signs continued. In the 54th minute, Deroy Duarte sent a dangerous effort toward Emiliano Martinez’s goal, forcing the Argentina goalkeeper into action. Five minutes later, Cape Verde got the goal its pressure deserved.
Ryan Mendes delivered an excellent low cross, and Duarte arrived in the same area from which Messi had scored earlier. This time, it was the Cape Verde midfielder who beat Martinez, sending the underdog’s players into wild celebration and making it 1-1.
Argentina nearly responded immediately. In the 63rd minute, Messi was left alone in front of Vozinha and seemed certain to restore the lead, but the veteran goalkeeper produced a huge save to keep Cape Verde level.
Scaloni reacted with changes, sending on Julian Alvarez for Lautaro Martinez and Nico Gonzalez for Thiago Almada in the 64th minute. Cape Verde also made a double change shortly afterward, bringing on Jamiro and Dailon Livramento.
Vozinha continued to frustrate Argentina. In the 73rd minute, Messi curled a clever free kick toward goal, but the goalkeeper reacted brilliantly, reaching it just before it could hit the net.
Argentina added more fresh legs late on, with Leandro Paredes replacing Rodrigo De Paul and Nicolas Tagliafico coming on for Facundo Medina. Cape Verde also turned to its bench, including Maccabi Tel Aviv player Helio Varela, who replaced Giovani Cabral, while Ryan Mendes made way for Willy Semedo.
Alexis Mac Allister tried his luck from distance in the 87th minute, but his shot was blocked and went out for a corner. In stoppage time, Paredes also struck from long range, though his effort did little to trouble Vozinha.
After 90 minutes, Argentina had Messi’s opener, Cape Verde had Duarte’s equalizer and the defending champion had been pushed into extra time by a World Cup newcomer. Martinez then changed the picture, scoring Argentina’s second to make it 2-1 and put Scaloni’s side back on course for the round of 16.
Cape Verde, which had already turned its debut into one of the stories of the tournament, now needs another response to keep its dream alive.
First published: 03:03, 07.04.26