Argentina's path to the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup was anything but smooth. In the round of 32 clash held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, United States, Lionel Scaloni's side had to fight hard before finally securing a dramatic 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in extra time.
The match was played with high intensity from the opening minute. Despite taking an early lead through Lionel Messi's seventh goal of the tournament, Argentina struggled to stem the counterattacks of a disciplined Cape Verde side. The score remained tied until the end of normal time, forcing both teams into extra time.
The duel grew even more intense in extra time. Lisandro Martinez briefly put the Albiceleste back ahead, but a spectacular goal from Sidny Cabral restored parity once again. Argentina's victory was ultimately sealed by an own goal from Diney Burgos in the 111th minute, following a goalmouth scramble from a Messi corner kick.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni openly expressed high praise for the opposition's performance. According to him, Cape Verde displayed impressive quality and forced his squad to expend extra energy until the very end. He emphasized that a never-give-up mentality was the key to his team surviving such a perilous situation.
In addition to the sharp attack, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez's role was also in the spotlight thanks to a series of crucial saves that kept Argentina's hopes alive throughout the match. This victory sends Argentina to the round of 16, where they will face Egypt at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta next Tuesday (7/7).
