Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde (after extra time) – round of 32

The FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 brought a high-stakes showdown to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Argentina and Cape Verde faced off in a knockout tie where a single mistake could end a nation’s tournament hopes.

How it unfolded

The first half was dominated by Argentina’s attacking flair. In the 29th minute Lionel Messi broke the deadlock with a precise left-footed strike from the right side of the six-yard box, curling the ball into the top right corner. The goal came after a through ball from Lisandro Martínez, giving the South American giants a 1-0 lead.

Cape Verde responded in the second half. Deroy Duarte levelled the score in the 59th minute, firing a right-footed shot from a tight angle on the right side of the box into the bottom left corner. Ryan Mendes provided the assist, and the match was poised at 1-1 as the clock ticked towards full time.

Tensions rose when Kevin Pina of Cape Verde received a yellow card in the 68th minute for a bad foul, a booking that hinted at the growing intensity of the encounter.

Regulation time ended without another goal, sending the tie into extra time. The deadlock was broken early in the first period of extra time when Lisandro Martínez, who had supplied the earlier assist, scored in the 92nd minute. He struck with his left foot from the right side of the box, placing the ball in the top right corner after a headed pass from Alexis Mac Allister following a corner. Argentina reclaimed the lead, 2-1.

Cape Verde fought back swiftly. In the 103rd minute Sidny Lopes Cabral restored parity with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box, finding the top right corner after a pass from Yannick Semedo. The score was again 2-2, and the outcome hung in the balance.

The decisive moment arrived in the 111th minute of extra time when Diney Borges inadvertently turned a ball into his own net, handing Argentina a 3-2 advantage. The own goal proved the match-winner as the remaining minutes of extra time saw no further changes.

A final booking came in the 115th minute when Gonzalo Montiel of Argentina was shown a yellow card for a bad foul, the last disciplinary action before the referee’s whistle signalled the end of the contest.

Standout performers

  • Lionel Messi opened the scoring and set the tone for Argentina’s attack.
  • Lisandro Martínez contributed both an assist for Messi’s opener and the decisive extra-time goal.
  • Deroy Duarte kept Cape Verde in the game with a well-taken strike.
  • Sidny Lopes Cabral showed resilience by equalising in extra time.
  • Alexis Mac Allister supplied the pass that led to Martínez’s extra-time goal.
  • Ryan Mendes and Yannick Semedo provided the assists that underpinned Cape Verde’s two goals.

Match facts

  • Final score: Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde (after extra time)
  • Scorers:
    • Lionel Messi (29’)
    • Deroy Duarte (59’)
    • Lisandro Martínez (92’ ET)
    • Sidny Lopes Cabral (103’ ET)
    • Diney Borges (own goal, 111’ ET)
  • Bookings:
    • Kevin Pina (68’) – yellow card
    • Gonzalo Montiel (115’ ET) – yellow card
  • Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

What it means

With this victory, Argentina move on to the next knockout round of the FIFA World Cup 2026, while Cape Verde’s campaign ends at the round of 32, their World Cup 2026 journey concluded.