This was the match that almost broke the World Cup. Argentina — defending champions, absolute favorites, Messi and all — were taken to extra time by Cabo Verde, a nation of half a million people playing in their first-ever FIFA World Cup. The debutants equalized twice. They had the greatest player on earth in their sights for 120 minutes. They came within a headed deflection of forcing a penalty shootout. Argentina survived 3–2. But barely.
Miami Stadium will remember this night for a very long time.
Argentina are through to the Round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2026™ — but Cabo Verde made them earn every inch of it. Stream every knockout match live on ZEE 5 with the ZEE 5 FIFA Subscription Quarterly Plan at ₹799.
Messi Makes History — Again
Argentina controlled the first half with the kind of authority you expect from world champions. In the 29th minute, Lionel Messi received a lofted pass over Cabo Verde’s defensive line from Lisandro Martínez. One touch to control. A glance. A precise chip lifted over Vozinha. 1–0. His 20th career FIFA World Cup goal — a record that now belongs to him alone, extended beyond anyone who has ever played this game.
Enzo Fernández made another effort in the 45th minute, which Vozinha parried away brilliantly.
Vozinha vs Messi: The Second Half’s Central Story
Cabo Verde began the second half with an equaliser that stunned Florida. In the 59th minute, Ryan Mendes threaded a clever pass to Deroy Duarte on the edge of the box. Duarte drove a low shot from a tight angle — it slipped through a defender’s legs and past Emi Martínez. 1–1. The Cabo Verde bench erupted. The Miami crowd fell silent.
Argentina pushed for a winner. Messi pushed. And Vozinha — the 40-year-old goalkeeper who has been the story of Cabo Verde’s tournament — pushed back. In the 62nd minute, Messi burst through on goal and drove a low shot. Vozinha raced off his line, spread himself wide, and blocked with his leg. Save. In the 73rd minute, Argentina won a free-kick just outside the box. Messi stepped up before the wall was fully set and curled a trademark left-footed shot toward the top-right corner. Vozinha leapt full-stretch and parried it away. Save again.
Extra Time: Romero Decides
Regulation ended 1–1. Extra time began, and immediately chaos ensued. In the 92nd minute, an Argentine corner fell to an unmarked Lisandro Martínez at the far post. He smashed a left-footed volley into the roof of the net. 2–1.
Sidny Lopes Cabral collected the ball on the edge of the area and curled an extraordinary dipping shot into the top corner. It was a goal of the tournament contender — the kind of finish that freezes goalkeepers and stops entire stadiums. Emi Martínez did not move. 2–2 at the 103rd minute.
Then came the 111th minute. Messi delivered a corner kick into the box with precision. Cristian Romero rose highest. His header struck defender Diney Borges and deflected into the net. An own goal, heartbreaking for Cabo Verde, decisive for Argentina. 3–2.
Emi Martínez Seals It
Cabo Verde was not done. They launched everything at Argentina in stoppage time. Emi Martínez made a spectacular one-handed save from a Cabral free-kick. Moments later, with the final whistle approaching, he threw himself at the back post to block a Nuno da Costa effort with his body. Argentina held on.
Cabo Verde — who came to this World Cup as debutants and left it drawing against the European Champions and almost taking the World Champions to tiebreaks. Vozinha, at 40, is one of the great stories of this tournament. Duarte’s equaliser and Cabral’s thunderbolt will be shown in highlights for years to come.
Argentina are through. They face Egypt in the Round of 16 on July 7 in Atlanta.
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Argentina vs Egypt in the Round of 16 — live on ZEE 5, India’s official home of FIFA World Cup 2026™. Stream every match live.
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