Argentina and Cape Verde met in a tightly contested World Cup last‑32 encounter that stretched into extra time before a decisive own goal settled the contest 3‑2 in favor of the South Americans.
The breakthrough came early when Lionel Messi opened the scoring, capitalising on a swift counter‑attack to put Argentina ahead in the 12th minute.
Cape Verde answered back in the 59th minute through Deroy Duarte, whose well‑placed strike leveled the sides and sparked renewed hope among the African side.
The momentum shifted again in the 103rd minute when Sidny Cabral struck, restoring parity and forcing the match into a tense final stretch.
A Narrow Victory in Extra Time
In the 111th minute, Cristian Romero’s header from a corner was diverted into his own net, handing Argentina the lead and ultimately the victory.
With the win secured, Argentina now turns its attention to a last‑16 clash against Egypt, a fixture that promises another battle of tactical acumen and attacking flair.