Argentina advanced to the next stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory against the African debutants in Miami this Friday.
Argentina secured on July 3 its qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 after defeating a resilient Cape Verde team 3-2 during an intense extra-time match in Miami, United States.
This is the first time in history that Cape Verde team, known as “Blue Sharks” plays a men’s World Cup. Meanwhile, Argentina is actually the last champion after beating France at the Final Match in World Cup Qatar 2022.
RELATED: Egypt Eliminates Australia on Penalties, Reaches World Cup Round of 16
The South American powerhouse claimed a hard-fought victory in the round of 32, opening the scoring in the 29th minute. Defender Lisandro Martínez delivered a precise pass into the penalty area, which team captain Lionel Messi controlled cleanly before executing a composed finish past goalkeeper Vozinha. The goal marked a dominant opening phase for the Argentine side.
During the first half, the reigning world champions maintained dominant possession and controlled the tempo. However, Cape Verde adjusted its strategy in the second half, advancing its lines to challenge the Argentine defense. The tactical shift yielded results in the 59th minute of intense play.
Striker Deroy Duarte found space inside the box after receiving an assist from Ryan Mendes. Duarte fired a precise shot past Emiliano Martínez to secure the equalizer. Despite continuous offensive pressure from Argentina during the remaining regular time, excellent saves by Vozinha forced the match into extra time, to the delight of the neutral fans.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
Una publicación compartida de teleSUR English (@telesurenglish)
Messi Extends Record
Argentina regained the lead in the first half of extra time. Following a corner kick and a crucial deflection from midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, defender Lisandro Martínez positioned himself in the box to strike a powerful left-footed shot into the top right corner.
The African debutants refused to surrender and equalized once more in the 103rd minute. Defender Sidny Lopes Cabral made an impressive run down the left wing, bypassed the defense, and launched a right-footed shot into the far angle to establish a temporary 2-2 scoreline.
The decisive moment occurred in the 111th minute. Lionel Messi executed a corner kick that defender Cristian Romero met with a powerful header. The ball deflected off Cape Verdean defender Diney Borges and entered the net, sealing the final 3-2 victory. The goal sparked celebrations among the South American fans in the stadium.
Following the dramatic conclusion, Lionel Messi received the Player of the Match award. The goal scorer extended his historic record by scoring in eight consecutive matches at the FIFA World Cup. This achievement establishes him as the only player to score 20 goals in the tournament’s history.
Messi finished the intense match with nine total shots, six of which targeted the goal, four key passes, and eight successful individual duels out of 15 contested. His leadership remains crucial for the Argentine squad as they progress further in the international tournament.
Egypt Awaits Next
Cape Verde concluded its historic first appearance in a world championship. The African team earned global respect after competing against three world champions in the group and knockout stages, including Spain, Uruguay, and Argentina, managing historic draws against both European and South American giants before this close defeat.
The focus for the South American champions now shifts to the upcoming round of 16. Argentina will face Egypt on Tuesday, July 7. The highly anticipated match will take place at the Atlanta Stadium, where both nations will fight for a quarterfinal position.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 continues to deliver compelling storylines, with Egypt emerging as one of the tournament’s surprise contenders after navigating a challenging group stage and overcoming the physical Australian squad in the knockout round. Coach Hossam Hassan has instilled a resilient mentality in his squad, evident in the team’s ability to recover from setbacks and maintain composure under pressure.
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.