Argentina vs Cape Verde LIVE: World Cup 2026 updates as Duarte delivers shocking equaliser

Argentina Narrowly Avoids Upset as Cape Verde Falls in Extra-Time Thriller

Reigning world champions Argentina survived a massive scare in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Friday, July 3, 2026, defeating World Cup debutants Cape Verde 3-2. The match, held at Hard Rock Stadium, saw the 64th-ranked island nation push the defending champions to the limit in a contest that required extra time to decide.

Lionel Messi provided the early breakthrough in the 29th minute. After a lofted pass from Lisandro Martinez, Messi used a precise touch to control the ball before hammering it into the roof of the net. The goal was Messi's 20th in men's World Cup history, a new record, and his seventh of the current tournament, moving him ahead of Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.

Despite Argentina's early lead and control through the first half, Cape Verde grew in confidence during the second. In the 58th minute, Ryan Mendes nutmegged a defender to find Deroy Duarte inside the box. Duarte turned and fired a strike between the legs of Emiliano Martinez to tie the game at 1-1.

The match entered a frenzied 30 minutes of extra time. Just over a minute into the additional period, Lisandro Martinez scored in the 103rd minute, taking a touch after a Messi corner and firing high into the net to make it 2-1.

The lead was short-lived. Sidny Lopes Cabral delivered a "goal of a lifetime" from the edge of the penalty box, unleashing a whipped, curling rocket that flew into the top right corner to equalize at 2-2. The strike stunned the pro-Argentina crowd and nearly forced a penalty shootout.

The deadlock finally broke in the 111th minute. Following a corner kick from Messi, Cristian Romero rose for a header that deflected off Cape Verde defender Diney Borges and into the far corner. The goal was officially credited as an own goal by Borges.

Argentina held on for the final 10 minutes, aided by clutch saves from Emiliano Martinez, who denied a similar whipped effort from Lopes Cabral by tipping the ball over the bar. Cape Verde players were left in tears following the final whistle, having gone unbeaten in 90 minutes across their four tournament matches.

A Historic Debut for the Blue Sharks

Cape Verde, a nation of islands off the coast of Senegal with a population of approximately 525,000, became the smallest country to ever reach the World Cup knockout stage. Their run was anchored by 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who recorded 10 saves against Argentina, including five specifically against Messi.

The team's journey to the Round of 32 included surprising draws against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. The atmosphere in Miami was particularly emotional for Vozinha, whose mother was issued a visa to attend the match in person after being unable to see his performance in the opening game against Spain.

While the performance was celebrated, the team faced off-field challenges. Captain Ryan Mendes is currently under investigation for rape in New Zealand, according to Brazil's Globo. Mendes is accused of sexually assaulting a translator for the team during a visit to New Zealand.

Match Details and Next Steps

The game was played in intense heat, with a recorded temperature of 90 degrees and a "feels-like" temperature of 105 degrees in Miami Gardens.

Argentina now advances to the Round of 16. They are scheduled to face Egypt, who defeated Australia in a penalty shootout, in Atlanta on Tuesday.