Argentina Survive Cape Verde Scare to Reach FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16

Miami, July 4: Defending champions Argentina booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 after edging past a spirited Cape Verde side 3-2 after extra time in a thrilling Round of 32 encounter.

Lionel Messi gave Argentina the lead before Cape Verde produced a fearless response, pushing the world champions to their limits with two determined equalisers. With the match locked after 90 minutes, Argentina finally found the decisive goal in extra time to avoid one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.

Messi continued his remarkable World Cup form by extending his scoring streak and strengthening his bid for the Golden Boot, while Argentina showed resilience under pressure to keep their title defence alive.

Although eliminated, Cape Verde earned widespread admiration for their fearless performance. The tournament debutants matched Argentina for long periods and left the World Cup with their reputation greatly enhanced after an unforgettable campaign.