Argentina’s national football team faced Cape Verde’s national football team on Saturday in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32, marking the start of the knockout stage for both nations. Argentina reached the match by topping Group J with a flawless nine points from three games, while Cape Verde also arrived undefeated after an impressive debut tournament, finishing second in Group H.
The match took place at Hard Rock Stadium, where a place in the Round of 16 was at stake. The team that wins between Argentina and Cape Verde will move on to play against either Australia’s national team or Egypt’s national team.
Argentina vs Cape Verde Match Preview
The buildup to Argentina vs Cape Verde focused on the contrasting journeys of the two teams. Argentina won all three of their group-stage matches, defeating the Algeria national football team 3–0, the Austria national football team 2–0, and the Jordan national football team 3–1 to finish as Group J winners.
Cape Verde emerged as one of the tournament’s surprise teams. The debutants earned draws against the Spain national football team, the Uruguay national football team, and the Saudi Arabia national football team, securing a historic place in the knockout rounds.
Key Players and Team News
Lionel Messi entered the match as the tournament’s leading scorer with six goals, taking his overall FIFA World Cup tally to 19. Argentina also looked to Lautaro Martínez, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernández to control the game.
Cape Verde relied on experienced goalkeeper Vozinha alongside attackers Jovane Cabral and Benni Livramento as they attempted to continue their remarkable World Cup run.
Full-Time Update
Argentina survived a huge scare to defeat Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in a thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash at Miami Stadium.
The defending champions dominated possession but were pushed to the limit by the tournament debutants, who twice came from behind to force extra time. Lionel Messi opened the scoring before Deroy Duarte stunned the favorites with a second-half equalizer. Argentina regained the lead through Lisandro Martínez early in extra time, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to produce a stunning equalizer that threatened one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.
The decisive moment came in the 111th minute when Cristian Romero’s header from a Messi corner took a cruel deflection off Diney Borges and found the net for an own goal, sending Argentina into the Round of 16.
Key Match Moments
29′ Goal – Argentina 1-0: Lionel Messi controls Lisandro Martínez’s long pass before finishing emphatically past Vozinha.
59′ Goal – Cape Verde 1-1: Deroy Duarte finishes from Ryan Mendes’ pass to stun the defending champions.
72′ Save: Vozinha produces a brilliant stop to deny Messi from a free kick.
90+ Minutes: Vozinha makes another outstanding save to keep out a deflected Argentina effort and force extra time.
92′ Goal – Argentina 2-1: Lisandro Martínez fires into the roof of the net after Alexis Mac Allister flicks on a Messi corner.
103′ Goal – Cape Verde 2-2: Sidny Lopes Cabral curls a spectacular strike into the top corner to level the match.
111′ Own Goal – Argentina 3-2: Cristian Romero’s header from a Messi corner deflects off Diney Borges and into the net.
120′ Save: Emiliano Martínez makes a crucial stop to deny Lopes Cabral’s late free kick.
120+ Minutes Full Time: Argentina hold on for a dramatic 3-2 victory after extra time to advance to the Round of 16, where they will face Egypt.
Argentina vs Cape Verde Results Today: FIFA World Cup Live Score, Updates, Stats