Argentina secured a 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time, advancing to the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium in the United States.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute after being set up by Lisandro Martínez, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Cape Verde equalised in the 59th minute through Deroy Duarte, sending the match into extra time after neither side found a winner in the remaining regulation period.
Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina’s lead in the 92nd minute, but Sidny Lopes Cabral levelled the score again in the 103rd minute.
Argentina scored the decisive goal in the 111th minute when a Lionel Messi corner resulted in an own goal by Diney Borges after Cristian Romero’s header.
With the victory, Argentina progressed to the Round of 16, where they will face Egypt. Cape Verde’s World Cup campaign came to an end following the defeat.