Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 in an intense round of 32 FIFA World Cup match on July 3 at Miami Stadium in front of 64,478 fans [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. The game ended 1-1 in regulation time before going to extra time [3, 4, 5, 7, 6]. Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute with his 20th World Cup finals goal, extending the all-time tournament record [3, 4, 5, 7, 6, 8, 9]. Deroy Duarte equalised for Cape Verde near the hour mark in the 59th minute, setting up a thrilling finish to normal time [3, 4, 5, 7, 6, 8, 9].
In extra time, Lisandro Martínez put Argentina ahead in the 92nd minute, but Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral levelled again in the 103rd minute with a stunning strike [3, 4, 5, 7, 6]. The winning goal came in the 111th minute when Cristian Romero’s header from a Messi corner was deflected by Cape Verde defender Edilson Diney Borges for an own goal credited to Argentina [3, 4, 5, 7, 6, 10]. Messi also provided the assist on the decisive goal, marking his ninth World Cup assist [3, 4, 7].
Cape Verde, making their World Cup debut this year, surprised many by reaching the knockout stage [1, 3, 6]. Their 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha had been little known before the tournament but played key roles [1]. Argentina entered the match as defending champions, having won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar [1]. Coach Lionel Scaloni marked his 100th game in charge during this match [2]. Messi also became the first player to reach 30 World Cup appearances in the tournament [2].
Messi has scored 7 goals so far in the 2026 World Cup, continuing to break records and amaze fans, who called him "our hero" and said, "He has aged like fine wine. The older he gets, the better he gets." BBC commentator James McFadden praised Messi's timing and runs during the game [8, 9].
Argentina’s next match will be against Egypt in the last 16 of the World Cup [5, 6].
