The 2026 World Cup Round of 32 produced an unexpectedly thrilling contest, as defending champions Argentina labored through 120 minutes of intense action and eventually scraped into the Round of 16 with a 3-2 victory over Cape Verde—a first-time knockout-stage qualifier—thanks to an own goal in extra time.
Facing an African dark horse ranked far below them in the world, Argentina took the lead through captain Lionel Messi but were twice pegged back by the resilient Cape Verdeans. It was not until the second half of extra time that an own goal from the opposition handed them a dramatic passage through. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez also made several crucial saves in the dying moments, proving instrumental in preserving the win.
Heavily favored before the match, Argentina did not have a smooth start. Cape Verde's aggressive pressing and tight defense initially left Messi with little space to operate. In the 29th minute, Argentina finally broke the deadlock—Lisandro Martínez delivered a pinpoint long pass, and Messi timed his run perfectly to meet it, coolly chipping the ball over the 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha to make it 1-0.
After taking the lead, Argentina gradually controlled the tempo but failed to extend their advantage. After the break, Cape Verde grew more adventurous, repeatedly attacking Argentina's flanks. In the 59th minute, captain Ryan Mendes sent in a fine cross from the right, and Deroy Duarte fired home from a tight angle at the near post, the ball squeezing past Emiliano Martínez to level the score at 1-1 and turn the match into a nail-biter.
With the score deadlocked after regular time, the game went to extra time. Just two minutes into the added period, Alexis Mac Allister nodded the ball on, and Lisandro Martínez controlled it inside the box before slamming a left-footed shot into the net to restore Argentina's lead.
Yet Cape Verde refused to surrender once again. In the 103rd minute, Sidny Cabral cut in from the left and unleashed a stunning strike that flew into the top corner, leaving Emiliano Martínez with no chance and making it 2-2, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Just as it seemed the match would head to a penalty shootout, Messi swung in a corner in the 111th minute. Cristian Romero met it at the near post, and the ball deflected off defender Diney Borges's arm and into the net. FIFA later credited the goal as an own goal by Diney Borges, handing Argentina a fortunate 3-2 lead.
Trailing again, Cape Verde did not give up. In the final minutes, they piled pressure on Argentina's box—Sidny Cabral's free-kick was tipped over by Emiliano Martínez, who then bravely blocked Gilson Benchimol's close-range effort. Deep into stoppage time, Dailon Livramento had a chance at the near post but was flagged offside and fired over, and the scoreline remained unchanged.
Messi, who scored one goal and delivered the corner that led to the winner, was once again Argentina's hero. He has now netted seven goals in this World Cup and has scored in eight consecutive World Cup matches, extending his personal record. However, beyond individual milestones, the match exposed Argentina's defensive lapses and lack of clinical finishing. Coach Lionel Scaloni will need to make swift adjustments if the defending champions are to continue their title defense.
As for Cape Verde, making their World Cup debut and reaching the knockout stage, they may not have created the ultimate fairytale, but twice coming from behind against the champions and pushing them to the 120th minute is enough to earn the world's applause. This African dark horse proved they were no mere knockstage visitors—they are one of the most pleasant surprises of this World Cup.
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