Defending champions Argentina survived one of the biggest scares of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after edging tournament debutants Cabo Verde 3-2 after extra time in a breathtaking Round of 32 clash. The African underdogs pushed Lionel Scaloni’s side to the limit before the world champions finally secured their place in the Round of 16, where they will face Egypt.
For his 100th match as Argentina manager, Lionel Scaloni made nine changes from the side that beat Jordan 3-1 in the group stage. Only Emiliano Martinez and Lautaro Martinez kept their places, while captain Lionel Messi returned to the starting lineup for a record 30th World Cup appearance after scoring from the bench in the previous match.
Cabo Verde made five changes following the goalless draw with Saudi Arabia that secured their historic place in the knockout rounds. Steven Moreira, Sidny Cabral, Laros Duarte, Nuno da Costa and Jovane Cabral all came into the starting XI, while Kevin Pina once again dictated play from midfield after his stunning long range goal against Uruguay.
Cabo Verde made the brighter start and created the first chance in the seventh minute. After breaking up an Argentine attack, Mendes cut inside from the left and unleashed a powerful shot that Nahuel Molina blocked before Emiliano Martinez gathered the loose ball.
The match also marked a significant milestone for Scaloni. The Argentina boss celebrated his 100th game in charge, having guided the Albiceleste to 72 wins, 18 draws and just nine defeats while lifting the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 Copa America.
Argentina slowly settled into the contest and almost struck after 15 minutes. Rodrigo De Paul released Thiago Almada down the left before the ball found Messi inside the area. The captain skipped past two defenders with ease but dragged his effort narrowly wide of the far post.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 29th minute immediately after the hydration break. Lisandro Martinez delivered a superb long pass into the box, where Messi timed his run perfectly before controlling the ball in stride and delicately lifting his finish over Vozinha into the near corner to give Argentina a 1-0 lead.
The goal extended Messi’s remarkable World Cup records. It was his 20th goal in the competition and meant he had now scored in eight consecutive World Cup matches.
Cabo Verde continued to impress despite trailing. Ranked 63rd in the FIFA rankings before the tournament, they became the lowest ranked nation since the rankings began in 1992 to reach the World Cup knockout stage on their debut appearance. They were also the lowest ranked team to reach the knockout rounds since Russia, ranked 70th, achieved the feat in 2018.
Argentina nearly doubled their lead before half time when Alexis Mac Allister’s attempted through ball deflected kindly into Enzo Fernandez’s path, but Vozinha reacted brilliantly to parry away the Chelsea midfielder’s first time effort.
The defending champions deservedly carried a 1-0 advantage into the interval after controlling most of the first half.
Cabo Verde emerged with renewed belief after the restart. Sidny Cabral’s near post header from a corner caused problems before Jovane Cabral’s follow up effort was blocked by De Paul. Moments later, Mendes fired an ambitious overhead half volley over the crossbar following another dangerous set piece.
The African side kept pushing and almost equalised in the 54th minute. Steven Moreira’s cross created confusion inside the Argentina box before the loose ball fell to Deroy Duarte, whose fierce strike forced Emiliano Martinez into an excellent save.
Their persistence paid off five minutes later. Moreira found Mendes on the right before the captain cut the ball back to Duarte, who squeezed a brilliant finish beyond both Lisandro Martinez and Emiliano Martinez from a tight angle to level the score at 1-1.
Argentina immediately looked for a response. Lautaro Martinez cleverly flicked Cristian Romero’s pass into Messi’s path, but Vozinha produced another outstanding save to deny the captain from close range.
The veteran goalkeeper continued his remarkable display in the 72nd minute. Messi attempted a quick free kick while Vozinha was still organising his wall, but the Cabo Verde goalkeeper scrambled across to palm the curling effort behind.
Argentina threw everything forward during stoppage time. Leandro Paredes tested Vozinha from long range before Messi earned a dangerous free kick on the edge of the area after Borges brought him down. Messi’s low effort took a deflection off Sidny Cabral, but Vozinha recovered brilliantly to make another save before safely collecting Fernandez’s rebound.
Against all expectations, the reigning world champions were taken into extra time by the tournament debutants.
Argentina wasted no time restoring their advantage. Just two minutes into extra time, Messi’s corner was flicked on by Mac Allister before Lisandro Martinez controlled the loose ball and smashed a left footed strike into the top corner for a 2-1 lead.
The goal arrived after 91 minutes and 59 seconds, making it the third fastest goal ever scored in extra time at a FIFA World Cup.
Still, Cabo Verde refused to surrender.
In the 103rd minute, the Blue Sharks produced another unforgettable moment. A flowing passing move ended with Sidny Cabral cutting inside from the left before curling an unstoppable strike into the top corner beyond Emiliano Martinez to make it 2-2.
Cabral sprinted into the stands to celebrate with his family in one of the most emotional scenes of the tournament, while the Argentina players stood stunned by the latest twist.
Messi continued searching for the winner but Vozinha denied him again early in the second period of extra time. Nicolas Gonzalez laid the ball into the captain’s path, but the goalkeeper parried his first time effort before Cabral blocked Gonzalo Montiel’s rebound.
Argentina finally regained the lead in the 111th minute. Messi delivered another dangerous corner from the left, and Cristian Romero climbed highest to power a header towards the far corner. The ball appeared to take a final touch off the arm of Cabo Verde defender Diney Borges before crossing the line, although the goal was initially credited to Romero.
Cabo Verde refused to give up and almost forced penalties again. Montiel brought down Varela just outside the area before Sidny Cabral stepped up and curled a superb free kick towards the far corner. Emiliano Martinez produced another outstanding save to tip the effort behind.
The Argentina goalkeeper came to his team’s rescue once more in the closing moments. Moreira’s cross found Benchimol inside the box, but Martinez bravely dived at the striker’s feet to block the effort and preserve Argentina’s slender lead.
The final whistle ended one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament. Argentina survived an extraordinary test to secure a 3-2 extra time victory and book their place in the Round of 16.
Cabo Verde may have fallen short, but they left the competition with enormous pride. The World Cup debutants matched the defending champions for long spells, twice came from behind and pushed one of football’s greatest teams to the absolute limit. Their fearless display will remain one of the defining stories of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while Argentina march on to a mouthwatering last 16 showdown against Egypt.
