Argentina narrowly avoided a stunning upset in the World Cup 2026 as they defeated Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time to progress to the round of 16.The match, held in South Florida, saw the defending champions face a relentless challenge from the tiny island nation, which had already made history by reaching the knockout stage.

Messi scored his 20th World Cup goal in regulation time, but Cape Verde's Deroy Duarte equalized before Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina's lead.

The decisive moment came in the 111th minute when Cristian Romero's header deflected off Cape Verde's Diney Borges into his own net, securing Argentina's victory.Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha made 10 saves, including five against Messi, as the team continued their improbable run.This win sets up a clash against Egypt, who defeated Australia in a penalty shootout.

The match highlighted both teams' resilience, with Argentina's captain extending his World Cup goal record and Cape Verde's underdog story capturing global attention.