Lionel Messi and the defending champions Argentina narrowly dodged what would have been the biggest upset in World Cup history, edging Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time to secure a spot in the round of 16 after squandering two leads.
Messi opened the scoring in the first half with his record-extending 20th career World Cup goal, suggesting Argentina might cruise past Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout stage. But Deroy Duarte leveled in the 59th minute, and the African side held firm to force extra time, where chaos erupted.
Lisandro Martinez struck just two minutes into the extra period, again giving Argentina a lifeline. Yet Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral responded with a stunning long-range goal from an impossible angle, tying the match once more.
In the second period of extra time, Argentina grabbed the winner from a corner kick, credited as an own goal by Cape Verde’s Diney Borge. Cape Verde pushed desperately for a third equalizer but fell short, ending one of the tournament’s most remarkable runs.
The debutants had already stunned Spain with a draw, matched two-time champion Uruguay, and drew with Saudi Arabia to advance as group runners-up. Argentina now faces Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday, June 7.
