D. Borges’ 111th-minute own goal rescued Argentina from a Cape Verde Islands scare and sent the holders through 3-2 after extra time in the World Cup Round of 32.
This was not a routine escape. Argentina led twice through Lionel Messi and L. Martinez, but Cape Verde answered twice and made the gap between world champions and World Cup debutants look far smaller than expected.
Cape Verde force Argentina into survival mode
Messi struck in the 29th minute to give Argentina a 1-0 half-time lead, another reminder of how heavily their campaign is being powered by him. But D. Duarte levelled in the 59th minute, and Cape Verde refused to let the game follow Argentina’s script.
L. Martinez restored Argentina’s lead in the 92nd minute, only for S. Lopes Cabral to equalise at 103 minutes with the kind of extra-time goal that turned a brave performance into a World Cup memory. The decisive break finally came in the 111th minute, when a Cristian Romero effort from a Messi corner deflected in off Borges.
Messi drives World Cup goals race
For anyone tracking Lionel Messi World Cup goals, this was another entry in a remarkable tournament. His opener was described in the notes as his 20th World Cup goal, and it also kept him alone at the top of the Golden Boot race after scoring in an eighth consecutive World Cup match.
Argentina control numbers as Cape Verde answer
Argentina had 64% possession, 22 shots and 10 on target, while Cape Verde still produced 16 shots and 5 on target. The 8-8 corner count mattered: Cape Verde were not merely surviving pressure, they were creating enough moments to make Argentina uncomfortable.
The passing volume, 779 to 408, underlined Argentina’s territorial control, but the balance of danger never disappeared. Cape Verde leave eliminated, yet they depart as one of the tournament’s most admired stories; Argentina advance to face Egypt with relief as much as satisfaction.
Match Information
Competition: World Cup, Round of 32. Date & Time: Saturday 4 July 2026, 00:00 CET. Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami. Referee: Drew Fischer, Canada.
