2026 World Cup: Argentina survive huge scare to beat Cabo Verde in five-goal extra-time thriller
Holders Argentina needed an own goal in extra-time to squeeze into the round of 16 with a 3-2 victory after Cabo Verde had threatened one of the greatest World Cup shocks of all-time.
Lionel Messi had marked a night of personal milestones with a magnificent opener to break the African minnows’ resistance, collecting Lisandro Martinez’s excellent long pass and lifting a wonderful finish over Vozinha just shy of the half hour.
It saw the 39-year-old become the first player in history to net in eight World Cup matches in a row on a day when he also broke the record for most ever appearances at the tournament (30).
Messi’s statistics overshadowed a lacklustre showing from the South Americans, which led to The Blue Sharks stunning the football world when Deroy Duarte equalised with a smart, low finish on 59 minutes.
La Albiceleste pushed for a late winner in normal time but Vozinha, whose heroics against Spain caught the imagination of the watching world, was at it again with a series of show-stopping saves to deny Messi and co.
Lionel Scaloni’s men regained the lead two minutes into extra-time through Lisandro Martinez, but the minnows levelled again when Sidny Cabral curled home one of the great World Cup goals from the left side of the area on 103 minutes.
Argentina came to the fore once more with Cristian Romero’s header from Messi’s corner deflecting into the goal off Diney Borges after 111 minutes.
Cabo Verde continued to press right until the final seconds but could not muster another equaliser and bowed out in a blaze of glory.
La Albiceleste will now meet Egypt in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, July 7 at Atlanta Stadium (17:00 BST kick off).