- After Extra Time
- 115'
- Diney Borges (OG)111'
- Extra Time — First Half
- G. Montiel on for N. Molina104'
- 103'
- 100'Gilson Benchimol on for Kevin Pina
- 100'Yannick Semedo on for Deroy Duarte
- 92'
- Full Time
- N. Tagliafico on for F. Medina86'
- L. Paredes on for R. De Paul84'
- 80'Hélio Varela on for Jovane Cabral
- 80'Willy Semedo on for Ryan Mendes
- 68'Kevin Pina
- 67'Dailon Livramento on for Nuno da Costa
- 67'Jamiro Monteiro on for Laros Duarte
- N. González on for T. Almada64'
- J. Alvarez on for Lautaro Martínez63'
- 59'
- Half Time
- 29'
- Kick Off
-
1 Deroy Duarte 1
- 2 Lisandro Martínez 1
- 3 Lionel Messi 1
- 1 Lionel Messi 9
- 2 Enzo Fernández 4
- 3 Diney Borges 2
- 1 Facundo Medina 3
- 2 Diney Borges 2
- 3 Kevin Pina2
- 1 Ryan Mendes 1
- 2 Alexis Mac Allister 1
- 3 Lisandro Martínez 1
- 1 Yannick Semedo 3
- 2 Lionel Messi 3
- 3 Alexis Mac Allister 2
- 1 Lisandro Martínez 116
- 2 Cristian Romero 112
- 3 Enzo Fernández 103
- 1 Kevin Pina3
- 2 Enzo Fernández 2
- 3 Thiago Almada 2
- 1 Cristian Romero 3
- 2 Deroy Duarte 2
- 3 Julián Alvarez 2
Many thought Argentina would steamroll Cape Verde in their Round of 32 match but it proved to be anything but a walk in the park for the reigning world champions.
The first half saw Argentina dominate possession. Cape Verde were restricted to a single shot in the opening 45 minutes as Argentina began to assert their authority. It took until just before the half hour mark for them to break the deadlock and it was a surprise to no one when it was Lionel Messi who found the net.
The goal, a record eighth in a row in World Cup matches for Messi, was finished superbly following a fantastic pass from Manchester United centre back Lisandro Martinez. Argentina were unable to build on their lead before half time but there didn’t look much to worry about for the 2022 World Cup winners.
The second period saw Argentina have even more of the ball, have more efforts on goal and rack up more xG than in the first half. They were unable to grab the second goal they needed, though, and Cape Verde were able to score one of the most famous goals in World Cup history when Deroy Duarte finished well.
Argentina, despite banging on the door repeatedly, weren’t able to find the elusive second goal and the game, extraordinarily, went to extra time.
Only two minutes into the additional 30 and Argentina retook the lead. A corner found it’s way to Lisandro Martinez at the back post and he finished superbly to restore his teams advantage.
It wasn’t one they enjoyed for long, however. Just before half time in extra time, Cape Verde were level again and it was an incredible strike to restore parity. Sidny Lopes Cabral struck a wonderful, curling effort from an angle to send the sides level at the break.
Argentina again took the lead, Messi turning provider this time. His corner was met well by Cristian Romero and his header was diverted into his own net by Diney Borges. The third goal proved to be enough, with Cape Verde unable to find their way through again.
Argentina advance to the Round of 16 but Cape Verde did themselves proud in what proved to be one of the most memorable World Cup campaigns of all time.
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