Lionel Messi scored and assisted, but Cristian Romero delivered the decisive blow as Argentina survived an unforgettable Cabo Verde fightback to move into the Round of 16 against Egypt.
Argentina survived chaos, emotion and one of the great underdog performances of the tournament, beating Cabo Verde 3-2 after extra time in Miami to keep its World Cup run alive.
This was supposed to be a night about control, experience and the world champion’s ability to manage a knockout game. Instead, it became a thriller that stretched Argentina to the limit and gave Cabo Verde a heroic farewell to its first World Cup. The African debutant leaves the tournament unbeaten in 90 minutes against European champion Spain and world champion Argentina, a stunning achievement even in defeat.
Messi, as always, gave Argentina the first light. In the 29th minute, the 39-year-old produced the kind of touch that still separates him from almost everyone else. His control created the opening, his finish broke the game open, and his 20th goal in 30 World Cup matches gave Argentina the lead it had been chasing.
But Cabo Verde did not collapse. Bubista’s team stayed organized, brave and technically clean, with Vozinha once again offering leadership and saves behind a defense that refused to be overwhelmed. Pico was immense at the back, Pina covered ground everywhere in midfield, and Cabo Verde kept believing even when Argentina appeared ready to take control.
That belief was rewarded in the 59th minute, when D. Duarte brought Cabo Verde level and changed the emotional temperature of the night. Argentina suddenly looked tense. Lautaro Martínez struggled to impose himself, and Scaloni turned to the bench, introducing Nicolás González and Julián Álvarez as the match became more frantic.
The game then moved into a dramatic final act. In extra time, Lisandro Martínez put Argentina back in front in the 92nd minute, capping a huge performance that felt almost more creative than defensive. Already influential with his distribution and intensity, Lisandro became one of the defining figures of the night.
Yet Cabo Verde had one more extraordinary moment left. In the 103rd minute, Lopes Cabral scored what may stand as one of the most beautiful goals of the tournament, a strike of remarkable quality that sent him sprinting into the stands to embrace his girlfriend. It was a cinematic World Cup moment, the kind that lives far beyond the scoreline.
Argentina, though, still had Messi. In the 111th minute, his corner found Cristian Romero, and the defender rose to become the unlikely hero of the night. Romero’s goal finally broke Cabo Verde’s resistance and sent Argentina through after one of the wildest matches of the knockout stage.
For Argentina, this was survival as much as victory. Messi provided the magic, Lisandro Martínez delivered a massive all-around performance, and Romero finished the job when the champion needed someone to meet the moment.
For Cabo Verde, elimination came with honor. The debutant leaves the World Cup after pushing Argentina into extra time, stunning Spain earlier in the tournament, and proving it belonged on the sport’s biggest stage.
Argentina advances to the Round of 16, where Messi and company will face Mohamed Salah’s Egypt. Cabo Verde goes home, but with a World Cup story it has already won in its own way.
Match Report
Argentina 3-2 Cabo Verde
Halftime: 1-0
After Extra Time: 3-2
Goals: 29’ Messi, 59’ D. Duarte, 92’ Lisandro Martínez, 103’ Lopes Cabral, 111’ Romero
Assists: Lisandro Martínez, Messi
Argentina: Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Medina; De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernández; Almada; Messi, Lautaro Martínez.
Coach: Lionel Scaloni
Cabo Verde: Vozinha; Moreira, Pico, Diney, Lopes Cabral; Pina; Mendes, D. Duarte, L. Duarte, J. Cabral; Da Costa.
Coach: Bubista
Substitutions:
Argentina: González for Almada, Álvarez for Lautaro Martínez, Paredes for De Paul, Tagliafico for Medina, Montiel for Molina.
Cabo Verde: Monteiro for L. Duarte, Livramento for Da Costa, W. Semedo for Mendes, Varela for J. Cabral, Benchimol for Pina, Y. Semedo for D. Duarte.
Referee: Fischer
Yellow Cards: Pina, Montiel
Red Cards: None
