Argentina continued its pursuit of consecutive World Cup titles on Friday, facing a surprising challenge from Cape Verde in a captivating knockout stage encounter. The small island nation, ranked 64th globally, entered the match as one of the tournament's unexpected success stories, pushing the second-ranked Argentinian squad to its limits.
Early Dominance and a Milestone for Messi
Cape Verde's defense held firm for nearly 30 minutes, preventing Argentina from scoring. However, in the 29th minute, Lionel Messi broke the deadlock, giving Argentina a crucial lead. This goal marked his 20th career World Cup goal, further cementing his legendary status.
The strike also made Messi the first player in World Cup history to net seven or more goals in multiple tournaments, a feat he also achieved in Qatar. Additionally, it extended his remarkable scoring streak to eight consecutive World Cup matches with a goal.
Cape Verde's Resilient Comebacks
Typically, when Argentina takes the lead, they maintain control. Yet, early in the second half, Cape Verde's Deroy Duarte delivered a stunning equalizer, leveling the score at 1-1. Despite late pressure from Argentina, including a dangerous free kick from Messi just outside the box, Cape Verde's defense stood strong, pushing the match into extra time.
The drama intensified in extra time. Just moments in, Argentina regained the lead when Lisandro Martinez found the back of the net in the 92nd minute. It appeared Argentina had secured the win, but Cape Verde had other plans.
Demonstrating immense resilience, Cape Verde continued to challenge the reigning World Cup champions. In the 103rd minute, Sidny Lopes Cabral scored an extraordinary goal, once again tying the game at 2-2. Before this match, Argentina had conceded only two goals across their previous ten World Cup victories; Cape Verde managed to equal that tally in a single game.
Extra Time Drama Decides Fate
The decisive moment arrived in the 111th minute. Messi delivered a precise corner kick, which Cristian Romero headed toward the far post. The ball ultimately deflected off a Cape Verde defender's arm and into the net. Initially credited to Romero, the goal was later updated to an own-goal, but it secured Argentina a 3-2 lead on the scoreboard.
Despite a final flurry of attacking chances from Cape Verde, Argentina managed to hold on, narrowly avoiding what many would have considered the biggest upset in World Cup history. The match was a testament to both teams' determination, with Cape Verde earning widespread admiration for their remarkable tournament performance.
Argentina must now regroup for a challenging Round of 16 clash against Egypt, scheduled for Tuesday in Atlanta.