Argentina are into the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup, but they were made to work for every minute of it. Lionel Messi’s first-half opener was cancelled out by Deroy Duarte, Lisandro Martinez restored the lead at the start of extra time, Sidny Lopes Cabral levelled again, and it took a Diney Borges own goal in the 111th minute to settle a 3-2 win at Hard Rock Stadium.
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Key Moments
- 29′, Lionel Messi put Argentina ahead with the opening goal of the night in Miami.
- 59′, Deroy Duarte brought Cape Verde level just before the hour, and the underdogs had their reward.
- 93′, Lisandro Martinez scored in the third minute of extra time to make it 2-1.
- 103′, Sidny Lopes Cabral equalized for Cape Verde a second time, setting up a frantic finish.
- 111′, Diney Borges turned the ball into his own net, handing Argentina a 3-2 lead they would not surrender.
Tactical Breakdown
Lionel Scaloni started Messi and Lautaro Martinez together in a 4-4-2, and Argentina’s control of the first half produced the opener in the 29th minute. Cape Verde sat in a 4-1-4-1 under Pedro Leitao Brito and reached the interval only a goal down, which kept the night alive.
The second half belonged to the underdogs for long stretches. Duarte’s 59th-minute equalizer changed the shape of the game, and Scaloni went to his bench five times across the 90 and extra time as Argentina searched for a way back in front against a side that refused to fold.
Cape Verde twice pulled level and twice needed one more answer they could not find. Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina’s lead moments into extra time, Lopes Cabral responded, but the decisive touch came from one of Cape Verde’s own, Borges deflecting into his own net in the 111th minute. For a team that matched the defending champions for long spells, it was a cruel way to go out.
Player Ratings
World Cup knockout bracket
Knockout results — aggregate scores across legs; winners in bold, penalty shootouts noted.
Head to Head
Verdict
Argentina advance, but the margin was thin and the defensive wobbles will interest whoever awaits in the last 16. Cape Verde leave with enormous credit; they twice equalized against the defending champions and were beaten by an own goal rather than by Argentina’s attack.