MIAMI.- Argentina suffered this Friday to beat Cape Verde 3-2 in Miami and get into the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, after a crazy match that the world champions had to resolve in extra time due to the relief of the tournament.
The Albiceleste took the lead thanks to a flash from their captain Lionel Messi (29′), but relaxed too much and ended up paying for it against the Africans, who tied with a goal from midfielder Deroy Duarte (59′) and took the match to extra time.
The Argentines thought they had the victory within a shot after taking the lead with a goal from Lisandro Martínez (92′), but a shot from the Cape Verdean left back Sidny Lopes Cabral (103′) leveled the match again and made Lionel Scaloni’s men suffer until their last goal, scored in an own goal by center back Diney Borges (111′) from a corner.
In a duel that everyone expected to be unbalanced, the humble Cape Verde came up big to stand up to the current world champion. And where others would have lowered their arms, he knew how to tie the match twice based on defensive solidarity, faith and talent.
In the end, Argentina imposed logic, but must raise the level if it intends to retain its title.
Cape Verde, for its part, leaves its first World Cup with its head held high after surprising the entire planet and making Messi’s team sweat more than expected.
