A Narrow Escape
Argentina scraped past Cape Verde 3‑2 in extra time, a result that barely kept their World Cup hopes alive.
The African side twice rallied from behind, highlighting cracks in a defence that had looked solid during the group stage.
Coach Lionel Scaloni had warned that Cape Verde would be a dangerous opponent after their draws with Spain and Uruguay, and his words proved prophetic as the team’s resilience forced Argentina to dig deep.
Lionel Messi, visibly drained, confessed after the match that the physical toll had left him exhausted, while also noting the team’s inability to press high up the pitch.
Veteran defenders Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez, both returning from injury concerns, combined to create the winning goal, underscoring the importance of experience in moments of crisis.
Looking Ahead to Egypt
With the round‑of‑16 clash against Egypt looming, Argentina will return to training in Miami on Saturday, aware that any further slip could intensify the scrutiny surrounding their campaign.
The stakes are higher than ever, and the team’s ability to adapt will be tested in the next encounter.