Argentina beats Cape Verde!
Sports Desk, Jul 3 (EFE).-
Reigning world champions Argentina progressed Friday to the Round of 16 of the 2026 Soccer World Cup by defeating Cape Verde 3-2 in a tightly contested 120-minute thriller in Miami, Florida, United States.
Lionel Scaloni’s men took the lead in the 29th minute with Lionel Messi’s 20th goal in World Cup history, but the African team drew level in the 59th with a strike by Deroy Duarte.
The scores remained level until the 90th minute, with Vozinha once again grabbing eyeballs by denying almost every attempt by the Albiceleste, including several attempts by Messi, pushing the game into extra time.
The South Americans finally regained their lead in the 92nd minute with a goal from Lisandro Martinez, but the dogged African team drew level with a 103rd minute stunner from Sidny Lopes Cabral.
However, an own goal by Diney Borges in the 111th minute sealed the result in favor of the current champions, who will now face Egypt in the Round of 19 on Jul.7 in Atlanta.
Messi sits on top of the list of goal scorers in this edition of the world cup, with seven goals, followed by Kylian Mbappe with six, and Erling Haaland and Harry Kane with five.
Vozinha, who has emerged as the hero for the African team time and again, leaves the tournament with a staggering 25 saves.
Cape Verde, the third-smallest country to ever compete in the World Cup, leave with their heads held high, without having lost a match throughout the tournament in the 90 minutes of regulation time, including against the favorites Spain. EFE
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