An enthralling World Cup round of 32 clash saw Cabo Verde’s dream run come to a close, as they fell to a 3-2 defeat in extra time to reigning champions Argentina.
Lionel Messi’s sublime control and finish for his seventh goal of the tournament in just four games put the defending champions in command.
The 39-year-old produced a moment of magic with a feather-light touch from Lisandro Martinez’s pass before lifting a composed finish beyond Vozinha to break the deadlock.
In doing so, Messi also extended his own record by scoring in eight consecutive World Cup matches and restored his two-goal advantage over France’s Kylian Mbappe in the race to become the competition’s all-time leading goalscorer.
However, Cabo Verde stubbornly refused to back down. Deroy Duarte’s strike on the hour mark forced Argentina to expend far more energy than they would have wanted in the draining Miami heat.
Lisandro Martinez briefly restored Argentina’s advantage early in extra time.
The Manchester United defender unleashed a rising drive just two minutes into the additional period, after a corner fell kindly to him, seemingly swinging the momentum firmly back in Argentina’s favour.
But once again, Cape Verde refused to surrender, levelling with one of the goals of the tournament when Sidny Lopes Cabral thundered an unstoppable strike into the top corner.
Another Argentina corner finally settled the contest. Cristian Romero rose highest to meet Messi’s delivery, and the ball took a deflection off Diney Borges before ending up in the net for an own goal.
La Albiceleste will face Egypt next on Tuesday in Atlanta. Despite what appears to be a favourable draw, there were still concerns for Lionel Scaloni on his 100th match in charge.
Cape Verde had already shown their capability in Group H, holding European champions Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia to draws to reach the knockout stages in their first-ever World Cup appearance.
