Messi Magic and Martinez Heroics Send Argentina Past Cape Verde 3-2 in Extra Time
Argentina have stormed into the World Cup Round of 16 after a hard-fought 3-2 extra-time win over Cape Verde
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martínez launched a long ball in the 28th minute to find Lionel Messi inside the penalty area. The 39-year-old brilliantly controlled it and slotted home to give Argentina the lead.
The goal was Messi’s 20th at the FIFA World Cup — the most by any player in the tournament’s history.
Cape Verde hit back in the 59th minute. Ludogorets midfielder Deroy Duarte received a square pass from Ryan Mendes and fired in the equalizer.
With that goal, Duarte became the first Cape Verde player to score in a World Cup knockout match.
Extra time brought more drama. Martínez rose again, this time to smash a well-taken shot into the roof of the net to put Argentina back in front.
But Cape Verde refused to go away. In the 102nd minute, Cabral Lopes curled a beautiful effort into the far corner to make it 2-2.
The winner came in the 110th minute. Messi swung in a corner and Diny Borges struck into his own net sending the defending champions into the Round of 16.
Argentina will now face Egypt in the Round of 16.
The Albiceleste also extended their perfect record against African nations at the World Cup to 8 straight wins:
✅ 2-1 Nigeria (1994)
✅ 1-0 Nigeria (2002)
✅ 2-1 Ivory Coast (2006)
✅ 1-0 Nigeria (2010)
✅ 3-2 Nigeria (2014)
✅ 2-1 Nigeria (2018)
✅ 3-0 Algeria (2026)
✅ 3-2 Cape Verde (2026)
Argentina are also the undisputed extra-time specialists in World Cup history with 12 matches that have gone beyond 90 minutes — the most by any nation. They’ve won 10 of them.
Messi has now scored in every match he’s played at this World Cup:
- ⚽️⚽️⚽️ vs Algeria
- ⚽️⚽️ vs Austria
- ⚽️ vs Jordan
- ⚽️ vs Cape Verde
That’s 7 goals in 4 matches. He also picked up his 14th Player of the Match award at the World Cup — an all-time record.
Speaking after the game about Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, Messi said:
“I was a bit frustrated after so many attempts, but I got one goal which was very important. They told me he is 40 years old and to be honest, I was amazed by his performance today. I walked up to him at full time and he congratulated me.”