Argentine 3-2 Cape Verde (AET) Match Report: Extra Time Drama Puts End To Historic Cape Verde Journey

Heading into the tie, the Argentines were the clear favourites after their perfect start winning Group J with nine points only conceding once. Meanwhile Cape Verde have been the fairytale story of the 2026 World Cup with the Blue Sharks drawing all three Group H games against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia as they secured second place.

The first 25 minutes in the Miami Stadium were quiet with neither team creating any clear chances. Argentina held the ball for the majority of the time, but struggled to find gaps in a committed Cape Verde defence.

That was until the half hour mark, where Lisandro Martinez lofted a brilliant through ball into the path of Lionel Messi, who  made a sudden bursting run into the box. The eight time Ballon d'Or winner calmly controlled the ball with his favoured left foot and converted his effort past Vozinha to open the scoring for Argentina. 1-0.

That made it seven goals for the 39-year-old this tournament as he leads the way in the goalscoring tally ahead of Kyllian Mbappe with six. Also extending his total of 20 World Cup goals as he sits in top spot of all time World Cup scorers.

Whilst the Cape Verdeans did generate the rare break against the Argentinian defence, their reluctancy to commit bodies forward saw any hopes of a first half goal fizzle away.

The half time whistle blew with Argentina's name in pencil to face Egypt in the Round of 16 after they defeated Australia 1-1 (4-2 on penalties) earlier in the day.

The second half saw a huge surprise as both teams looked energised, but it was the Cape Verdeans shocked the world. With 59 minutes on the clock, Ryan Mendes picked up the ball to the right hand side of Emiliano Martinez's 18-yard-box.

He passed the ball through the legs of Facundo Medina into the feet of Deroy Duarte who got the ball out his feet and drilled an effort through the legs of Lisandro Martinez and beyond Emi Martinez into the far corner, levelling the scoring and setting the Cape Verde fans into eruption. 1-1.

The strike was not even against the run of play, with the Cape Verdeans showing more commitment to send players forwards in attack to provide options in the penalty area.

What followed was relentless Argentina pressure. Messi was at the centre of action again as he found himself one versus one against Vozinha on his right foot. His effort was straight at the 40-year-old goalkeeper. Messi also saw a free kick saved as Vozinha scrambled across his goal to parry wide.

Into extra time the sides went after a tense 90 minutes. Two minutes into the extra 30, Lisandro Martinez picked the ball up at the far post with time and space, cutting in on his favoured left foot and rifling a strike high into the near side regaining the lead for Lionel Scaloni's side. 2-1.

To the world's surprise, Cape Verde replied yet again, with what is arguably the goal of the tournament so far. Sidny Lopes Cabral picked up the ball on the left corner of the box, cutting in and bending an unbelievable effort into the top right corner, stunning the stadium and everybody watching as the fullback ran into the stands to celebrate. 2-2.

But Argentina dug deep to find a winner, with Lionel Messi's corner landing on the head of Cristian Romero, who glanced his effort into the far corner via a deflection from the arm of Diney Borges in a heartbreaking moment for Cape Verde. 3-2.

As the full time whistle sounded, the end of an iconic World Cup run came for a Cape Verde side who went toe-to-toe with the reigning world champions in a historic story. The Argentines will go on to face Egypt in the Round of 16 after a truly incredible game.