World Cup 2026: Argentina edge Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time

Messi opens, an own goal closes: Argentina 3-2

This World Cup 2026 Round of 32 tie promised a mismatch and, on paper, Argentina delivered one — yet Cape Verde made them work every inch of the way at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The final scoreline read Argentina 3, Cape Verde 2, but that gap needed extra time and a slice of misfortune to open up.

Argentina dominated the ball, holding 64% possession to Cape Verde's 36%, and the underlying numbers backed the pressure: 2.16 expected goals (xG, a measure of chance quality) against Cape Verde's 0.45, with ten shots on target to five. Lionel Messi set the tone early, Lautaro Martinez dragged his side level in stoppage time, and the decisive moment arrived deep in extra time. For all their control, though, Argentina were made to sweat by a Cape Verde side that refused to fold and twice found a way back into the contest.

How Scaloni and Cape Verde lined up in Miami

From Messi's 29th-minute strike to the 111th-minute twist

Argentina drew first blood on 29 minutes, Messi finishing off a move started by Lautaro Martinez. That lead held until just before the hour, when Cape Verde struck back through D. Duarte, teed up by R. Mendes, to level the tie and force Lionel Scaloni into a rethink.

The reshuffle came quickly — Julian Alvarez and Nicolas Gonzalez were introduced within a minute of each other just after Cape Verde's equaliser, with Cape Verde responding with their own double change. As the clock ran down and a yellow card for K. Lenini punctuated the tension, it looked like ninety minutes might not settle it. Then, in the second minute of stoppage time, Lautaro Martinez met an Alexis Mac Allister delivery to nudge Argentina back in front and, seemingly, over the line.

Extra time refused to follow the script. On 103 minutes S. Lopes Cabral, set up by Y. Semedo, hauled Cape Verde level again to stun the crowd. The decider, when it came on 111 minutes, was cruel on the underdogs: an own goal credited to D. Borges restored Argentina's advantage. Gonzalo Montiel, on as a late substitute, picked up a booking in the closing stages as Argentina saw the tie out.

Fans backed Argentina — but nobody saw 3-2

The futbol.so community was firmly behind Argentina, with the consensus pointing to a comfortable win and Argentina 3-0 the most-chosen scoreline. On the winner, the crowd read it right; on the manner of it, few came close. Argentina supporters leaned even heavier, favouring a 4-0 romp, while fans in England imagined a five-goal statement.

The dissenting voice came from Spain, where opinion tilted towards a Cape Verde upset. That didn't materialise, but the West Africans certainly made the doubters of that scoreline look less foolish than a two-goal comeback in the knockout rounds might suggest. The official model captured the shape of it best, forecasting exactly Argentina 3-2 — a heavy favourite that ultimately had to grind, not glide, to the win.

Video highlights

Argentina v Cape Verde - 30-Minute EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS | Round of 32 | FIFA World Cup 2026

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Highlights | Argentina 3-2 Cabo Verde | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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FIFA WC 2026 | Argentina - Cape Verde 1:1 (3:2) | (plej-of ) | 04.07.2026.

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LIVE - LE CAP-VERT ENVOIE L'ARGENTINE EN PROLONGATION !

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Résumé : ARGENTINE - CAP VERT, PLUS GRAND EXPLOIT DE L'HISTOIRE DU MONDIAL ?! (16es)

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Argentina vs Cabo Verde (3-2) | Resumen y goles | Highlights Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026™

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MESSI porta l'Albiceleste agli OTTAVI: Argentina-Capo Verde 3-2 | FIFA World Cup | DAZN Highlights

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REACTION to Argentina vs. Cape Verde 🚨 'Cape Verde OUTPLAYED the world champs!' - Burley | ESPN FC

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HIGHLIGHTS - Argentina v Cape Verde | One Of The Greatest Games EVER | FIFA World Cup 2026

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World Cup: Argentina vs Cape Verde

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World Cup: Argentina vs Cape Verde

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World Cup: Argentina vs Cape Verde

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World Cup: Argentina vs Cape Verde

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World Cup: Argentina vs Cape Verde

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World Cup: Argentina vs Cape Verde

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Argentina march on, but the takeaway is as much about resilience as dominance: a side that created the better chances still needed extra time and an own goal to shake off Cape Verde. Next up is a Round of 16 meeting with Egypt on 7 July, and Scaloni will want a cleaner, calmer performance from the ninety minutes he saw here.