Argentina scraped past Cabo Verde 3-2 in a tense extra‑time encounter in Miami, advancing to the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. The match began with a swift strike from Lionel Messi, who opened the scoring and later provided the assist that sealed the victory.
Messi’s Moment
Midfielder Lisandro Martínez delivered a dominant defensive display, registering his first tournament assist, yet the team’s right‑hand side drew criticism for its vulnerability, a concern that could prove costly in later rounds.
Cabo Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral responded with a curling equaliser that caught the Argentine keeper off guard, sparking a surge of hope before Argentina’s late heroics.
Possession and Missed Chances
Despite controlling 64% of possession and posting an 86% pass accuracy, Argentina missed two of three clear chances, a reminder of their over‑reliance on Messi and a missed opportunity to seal the game earlier.
Lautaro Martínez and Julián Álvarez, expected to provide firepower, were major disappointments, failing to register a meaningful contribution.
The narrow win underscores both the promise and the pitfalls for a squad that must tighten its defense if it hopes to defend its championship title, with Messi’s heroics masking deeper issues that need addressing.