Overview
- Argentina beat World Cup debutants Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in Miami, with the decisive deflected header coming in the 111th minute.
- Lionel Messi opened the scoring before Deroy Duarte levelled late in the second half, Lisandro Martínez put Argentina ahead early in extra time, and Sidny Lopes Cabral produced a 103rd‑minute world‑class equaliser.
- Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha made eight saves in the game and finished the tournament with 18 saves, repeatedly denying Argentina chances and keeping the underdogs in contention.
- Cape Verde’s disciplined 4-1-4-1/4-5-1 defensive structure and swift counters forced Argentina into long spells of low-clearance play and carried the side through the group stage to a celebrated knockout appearance.
- Argentina advance to face Egypt in the last 16 and must address midfield and defensive lapses exposed by Friday’s match while Cape Verde leave the tournament with global praise and a boost to their national profile.