It almost became the biggest shock in World Cup history. But defending champions Argentina survived an extraordinary test from Cape Verde in the round of 32, prevailing 3-2 after extra time thanks to a 111th-minute own goal from Diney Borges, and setting up a last-16 encounter with Egypt. (ESPN)
Messi opens the scoring — Cape Verde hit back
As so often, Lionel Messi was first to act. In the 29th minute, he received a pass from Lisandro Martínez inside the box and finished in his trademark fashion to give Argentina an early lead. But Cape Verde — the debutant nation who went unbeaten through their group against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia — had no intention of capitulating. Striker Deroy Duarte levelled with a fine finish to prove the Blue Sharks had not come to Miami just to make up the numbers.
Extra time and more drama
The opening 90 minutes ended level at 1-1, sending both sides into extra time that proved no less dramatic. In the 92nd minute, defender Lisandro Martínez burst forward from an unexpected position to give Argentina the lead again at 2-1. Yet Cape Verde responded once more: Sidny Lopes Cabral levelled in the 103rd minute at 2-2, turning the stadium into a tinderbox and sending a wave of disbelief through the Argentine fanbase who suddenly sensed that something historic and humiliating might be unfolding.
The own goal that ended the dream
In the 111th minute, Cape Verde defender Diney Borges inadvertently deflected a Messi set-piece into his own net while challenging Cristian Romero in the air, ending Cape Verde's incredible journey at 3-2 in extra time. (NBC Sports)
Cape Verde: a legend that will live forever
Some will say Cape Verde lost — but anyone who watched this match knows the Blue Sharks left the tournament far bigger than the scoreline. A small Atlantic island nation with a population of barely half a million, competing at the World Cup for the very first time, had the reigning world champions on the ropes twice in a single night and came within moments of pulling off the most stunning upset the tournament has ever seen. It is a genuine sporting achievement that deserves to stand alongside the greatest underdog stories in football history.
Among the heroes of this epic was veteran goalkeeper Vozinha — a 40-year-old who plays in the Portuguese second division and whose social-media following exploded from 500,000 to over 17 million during the tournament. His story alone captures what makes the World Cup the greatest sporting spectacle on earth.
What this means for Argentina
This was not a comfortable night for Argentina by any measure, and it must be treated as a serious warning sign by coach Lionel Scaloni ahead of the round of 16. A team that presents itself as a title favourite cannot afford to concede twice, lose control of the game for long stretches, and rely on an own goal to advance. Argentina possess depth, quality and experience at every position — but those assets will not be enough unless individual quality is channelled into genuine collective cohesion. That said, surviving at all — however difficult the path — keeps Argentina's title defence alive.
The last 16: Argentina vs Egypt
With this victory, Argentina advance to the round of 16 to face Egypt, who beat Australia on penalties earlier the same day. An Argentine-Egyptian last-16 encounter promises to be no less dramatic than what we witnessed in Miami tonight — a team carrying the weight of its world title against one determined to prove it has come to this World Cup as a genuine contender. Argentina face a sterner test than expected; Egypt carry the momentum of a historic night of their own.
Follow Malaab Al-An for every moment of the 2026 World Cup round of 16.