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Argentina edges Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time; Cape Verde reaches round of 16 for first time
Lionel Messi opened the scoring with his seventh goal of the tournament as Argentina advanced past Cape Verde on Friday night in Miami. The defending champions needed extra time to overcome the first-time knockout qualifier.
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Argentina defeated Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time during a FIFA World Cup 2026 round-of-32 match in Miami on Friday night and advanced to the round of 16. Lionel Messi scored the opening goal for Argentina and added his seventh goal of the tournament. The match marked Messi's 30th World Cup appearance.
Argentina had conceded only one goal in the group stage before facing Cape Verde. Cape Verde reached the knockout stage for the first time after finishing second in Group H behind Spain. The team drew all three group-stage matches against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, conceded two goals overall and remained unbeaten.
Cape Verde pushed Argentina to extra time and created the threat of a major upset before the Blue Sharks fell. Roberto 'Pico' Lopes started in defense for Cape Verde. The 44-cap centre-back, who plays for Shamrock Rovers, faced the test alongside his teammates.
Argentina will now prepare for the round of 16 while Cape Verde ends its debut knockout run.
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