Round of 32
Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde
Cape Verde shocked everyone just by reaching this stage in their very first World Cup, and they came so close to shocking the world again by pushing Argentina, the reigning world champions, all the way to extra time.
Argentina were in real trouble against the smallest country ever to reach a World Cup knockout round, and that is not what anyone expected from a team so many people see as the favorites to win the trophy again.
How the match went
This was almost one of the biggest surprises in the history of the World Cup.
Cape Verde are the smallest country ever to reach a World Cup knockout round, with only about 525,000 people, and this was their first ever World Cup.
They were playing the champions, Argentina, and nobody gave them a chance.
But Cape Verde had nothing to lose and they refused to give up all night.
Argentina took the lead when Lionel Messi scored in the 29th minute to make it 1-0, and it was still 1-0 at half-time.
Then Cape Verde came back, when their midfielder Deroy Duarte scored in the 59th minute to make it 1-1.
That goal sent the game to extra time, and the shock was suddenly very real.
Argentina hit back again when their defender Lisandro Martinez scored in the 92nd minute to make it 2-1.
At this moment you could feel most people thought that was the end for Cape Verde, but they came back a second time.
But then their forward Sidny Lopes Cabral scored in the 103rd minute to make it 2-2, and the whole stadium could not believe it.
Then the heartbreak came, because in the 111th minute a Cape Verde defender, Diney, put the ball into his own net by mistake.
That own goal counted for Argentina and made it 3-2, and it was the goal that decided the game.
Cape Verde had no time left to come back a third time, and they lost 3-2.
The truth is Argentina are the champions, but they did not play well, and they were very lucky to survive and to move to the next round.
Cape Verde were incredibly brave, and they came within one own goal of the biggest shock ever.
Messi scored his 20th career World Cup goal, and his 7th of this tournament in only 4 games, so at least the greatest player kept his run going.
Key moments
- ⚽ 29' Messi (Argentina)
- ⚽ 59' Duarte (Cape Verde)
- ⚽ 92' L. Martinez (Argentina)
- ⚽ 103' Lopes Cabral (Cape Verde)
- ⚽ 111' Diney (Cape Verde) (OG)
Goals in the order they were scored.
OG = own goal (a player scored in their own net).
Match highlights
Watch on YouTube- Date
- Friday, July 3
- Kickoff Time
- 18:00 (New York time)
- Stage
- Round of 32
What's next for Argentina?
Argentina are through to the round of 16, but they will know they were very lucky tonight.
Next they play Egypt on July 7, 2026, and Egypt just knocked out Australia, so they will not be scared.
Argentina need to play much better than this, or another underdog could catch them.
But they still have Lionel Messi, and while he is on the pitch, Argentina are always dangerous.
The end of the road for Cape Verde
Cape Verde are out of the World Cup, and this loss will hurt for a very long time.
They came back twice against the champions and were minutes from the biggest shock in the sport.
Then one own goal in extra time ended their fairytale run.
But this tiny country of about 525,000 people leaves the World Cup with great pride, and the whole world now knows their name.
Common questions
Where and when was Argentina vs Cape Verde played?
The game was played on July 3, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, USA. It was a round of 32 knockout match at the 2026 World Cup.
What was the final score of Argentina vs Cape Verde?
Argentina won 3-2 after extra time. Cape Verde came back twice to tie the game, but an own goal in the 111th minute won it for Argentina.
Who scored for Argentina against Cape Verde?
Lionel Messi scored in the 29th minute and Lisandro Martinez scored in the 92nd minute. The winning goal was an own goal by Cape Verde in the 111th minute.
Why is Cape Verde vs Argentina a big deal?
Cape Verde is the smallest country ever to reach a World Cup knockout round, with only about 525,000 people. They came within one goal of beating the champions Argentina, which would have been one of the biggest surprises ever.