Argentina vs Cape Verde Player Ratings: Messi and Lisandro Martínez Send Holders Through

Argentina survived a huge scare. Lionel Messi opened the scoring but Cape Verde twice hit back to force extra time, where an own goal finally settled a 3-2 thriller in the Round of 32 at Hard Rock Stadium. Here are our Argentina player ratings. For more, see our World Cup 2026 hub.

Key match stats

Argentina player ratings vs Cape Verde

• GK — Emiliano Martínez: 6.5/10 — Beaten twice but made saves to keep Argentina in front when it mattered across 120 minutes.
• RB — Nahuel Molina: 6.5/10 — Steady down the right before being withdrawn late.
• CB — Cristian Romero: 7/10 — Commanding and immaculate in possession (96% passing).
• CB — Lisandro Martínez: 8.5/10 — The unlikely hero. Restored Argentina’s lead in extra time (92 minutes), grabbed an assist and passed at 97%.
• LB — Facundo Medina: 6.5/10 — Solid on the left before making way.
• CM — Rodrigo De Paul: 6.5/10 — Energetic in the engine room before being replaced.
• CM — Enzo Fernández: 7.5/10 — Drove Argentina forward across 120 minutes with four shots and two dribbles.
• CM — Alexis Mac Allister: 7.5/10 — Went the distance and provided an assist.
• AM — Thiago Almada: 6.5/10 — Lively in the No.10 role before being withdrawn.
• FW — Lionel Messi (C): 8.5/10 — The talisman. Opened the scoring on 29 minutes and had a game-high nine shots across the full 120.
• ST — Lautaro Martínez: 6/10 — Quiet by his standards and withdrawn just after the hour.

Substitutes

• Julián Álvarez: 6.5/10 — Fresh legs up front with a shot and a dribble.
• Nicolás González: 6.5/10 — Direct off the bench with two efforts.
• Leandro Paredes: 6.5/10 — Steadied the midfield in extra time.
• Nicolás Tagliafico: 6/10 — Solid down the left.
• Gonzalo Montiel: 6/10 — Late introduction at right-back.

Argentina vs Cape Verde: how it unfolded

Lionel Messi put the holders ahead on 29 minutes, but Cape Verde refused to lie down: Deroy Duarte levelled on 59 to force extra time. Lisandro Martínez then nudged Argentina back in front on 92, only for Sidny Cabral to make it 2-2 on 103. The decisive blow came on 111 minutes, an own goal from Diney Borges settling a breathless 3-2 win. Argentina out-shot Cape Verde 22-16 but were pushed all the way; Lionel Scaloni‘s side scrape into the last 16.

19+ (18+ in AB/MB/QC). Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 (ON) — see your province’s helpline for resources elsewhere.