FLASH
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Lionel Messi's team won 3-2 after 120 minutes against a Cape Verde that drew twice and played one of the best matches of the tournament. In the round of 16, Argentina will face Egypt...
Argentina narrowly secured qualification for the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup after beating Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time. The reigning world champions faced an organised and combative opposition, who twice equalised and forced Lionel Scaloni's team to fight until the final minutes to avoid penalties.
The African team stood out for their tactical discipline and compact defense, significantly limiting Argentina's chances. Although the difference in individual quality was obvious, Cape Verde compensated with organization, intensity and an excellent performance from goalkeeper Vozinha, who was among the most outstanding players of the match.
Argentina took the lead in the 29th minute. Lisandro Martínez provided a precise pass to Lionel Messi, who controlled the ball perfectly and beat Vozinha for the 1-0 score.
In the first half, Messi had created several other good chances, but the Cape Verde goalkeeper reacted successfully to his shots from the field and from free kicks.
After the break, Cape Verde began to attack more often. The warning came in the 54th minute, when Deroy Duarte forced Emiliano Martínez to make a crucial save. Five minutes later, the equalizer came. Ryan Mendes served from the right wing and Deroy Duarte scored with a precise shot inside the area for 1-1.
Argentina reacted immediately and created several good chances to regain the lead. Messi came up alone against Vozinha in the 63rd minute, but the goalkeeper won the duel again. Then he stopped a free kick from the Argentine captain in the 72nd minute.
In the 81st minute, Nahuel Molina sent a dangerous ball into the box, but Pico Lopes cleared the ball just before Enzo Fernández could tap it into the net. At the end of regulation time, Argentina continued to press and even appealed for a penalty for handball in the 89th minute, but the referee allowed play to continue. In the second half's extra time, Vozinha saved another free kick from Messi, keeping the score level.
With the score 1-1 after 90 minutes, the match went into extra time.
Just a minute into the match, Argentina regained the lead. After a corner kick from Messi and a header from Alexis Mac Allister, the ball ended up in the hands of Lisandro Martínez, who scored with a powerful shot to make it 2-1.
However, Cape Verde did not give up. In the 103rd minute, Lopes Cabral received the ball on the left wing, penetrated into the area and with a beautiful, effective shot tied the score at 2-2.
Argentina continued to search for the qualifying goal. Messi was once again stopped by Vozinha in the 106th minute, while Nico González created another good chance a few minutes later.
The decisive moment came in the 111th minute. After a corner kick taken by Messi, Cristian Romero leapt higher than everyone and headed the ball into the net, sealing a 3-2 victory for Argentina.
Even in the final minutes, Cape Verde continued to attack. Lopes Cabral risked a free kick in the 116th minute, while in the 119th minute Emiliano Martínez made the decisive save to preserve his team's advantage.
With this victory, Argentina secures passage to the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, where they will face Egypt in Atlanta on July 7. On the other hand, Cape Verde is eliminated from the tournament, but leaves after a performance that won praise from fans and specialists.
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