Argentina Survives Scare Against Cape Verde to Reach World Cup Last 16

Argentina faced an unexpected and stern test from Cape Verde, a nation making its World Cup debut, ultimately prevailing 3-2 after extra time to secure a place in the last 16 of the 2026 tournament. Lionel Messi, in his 100th match as manager Lionel Scaloni’s side, scored his 20th World Cup goal, but the match was a tense affair that saw the defending champions pushed to their absolute limit.

Cape Verde, who sensationally reached the knockout stages by drawing with Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia in Group H, continued their fairytale run by pushing Argentina deep into extra time. The “Blue Sharks” displayed remarkable resilience and spirit, making the most of their historic World Cup campaign.

A Fixture for the Ages

The encounter, held in Miami, saw Lionel Messi put Argentina ahead with his seventh goal of the tournament, showcasing his signature control and finish. However, Cape Verde, under coach Bubista, refused to be intimidated by the occasion or their illustrious opponents.

Deroy Duarte’s goal on the hour mark brought Cape Verde level, igniting hopes of an even greater upset and forcing Argentina to expend significant energy in the Miami heat. The match then went into extra time, where Argentina initially regained the lead through Lisandro Martínez.

The drama continued when Sidny Lopes Cabral produced a stunning strike to equalize for Cape Verde once more, only for Argentina to finally secure their passage to the next round via an own goal from Diney Borges following a corner from Messi.

Argentina’s Next Challenge

Despite the victory, concerns will linger for Argentina and manager Lionel Scaloni, whose side had to dig incredibly deep. Their next opponent in the round of 16 will be Egypt, a match that now takes on added significance given the scare against Cape Verde.

For Cape Verde, their World Cup journey concludes with immense pride. Their performance against one of the tournament’s favourites is a testament to their development and fighting spirit, marking an unforgettable debut on the global stage.

Key facts

The dramatic nature of this match underscores the unpredictable spirit of the World Cup, where underdog stories can captivate audiences and even the strongest teams can be tested to their core. For fans of FootballGames10, this match highlights the passion and resilience that defines international football.

Source: The Guardian Football, https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/04/argentina-cape-verde-world-cup-2026-last-32-match-report