Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde – report, result, goals as Lionel Messi scores the winner in the last 32
Hosts Argentina needed Diney Borges’ 111th-minute goal from Lionel Messi’s corner to secure a place in the Last 16 of the 2026 World Cup and end Cape Verde’s magic in their first appearance at the finals in Miami.
Cape Verde, who host European champions Spain as part of an unbeaten group, fell behind when Messi headed home Lisandro Martinez’s long ball to score a record-breaking eighth World Cup goal in the 29th minute, but Deroy Duarte equalized 30 minutes later as he collected Ryan Mendes’ pass and headed home Lisandromiliezkez and Martinano’s keeper.
Manchester United defender Martinez fired over with two minutes of added time played, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to add one of the goals of the tournament by cutting inside the box from the left and curling a stunning finish into the corner of the net.
The Blue Sharks’ seemingly fearless commitment to attack looked to have fueled a penalty shoot-out before the unfortunate Diney nodded home Messi, sending La Albiceleste to meet Egypt, who beat Australia on penalties, in the last 16 in Atlanta on Tuesday (17:00 BST).
Argentina vs Cape Verde: ‘Absolute joy’
Ranked between Iraq and Ghana in the standings, few would have given Cape Verde the hope of progressing to the fourth game of the final, let alone going 90 minutes unbeaten against rivals including world and European champions and former world champions Uruguay.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, who quickly became a star with his performance in the final at the age of 40, also impressed, including a solo save to deny Messi seconds after Duarte’s goal.
“Today was not their night,” former Scotland striker Ally McCoist told ITV, while former England defender Gary Neville suggested critics may have “laughed” at Cape Verde’s pre-tournament involvement, describing their efforts as “Herculean”.
“It’s a great game of football,” added McCoist. “They are far, far, far away from the wind.
“Boy, did they entertain us in this World Cup. It was a lot of fun.”
World Cup 2026: Team Argentina vs Cape Verde
Messi made one of nine changes for Argentina in their 3-1 win over Jordan on matchday three, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and striker Lautaro Martinez both retained.
Argentina starting XI: Emiliano Martinez, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Lionel Messi, Thiago Almada, Lautaro Martinez
Argentina instead: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Marcos Senesi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Otamendi, Leandro Paredes, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Nico Gonzalez, Julian Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Lopez, Jose Paz
World Cup 2026: Team Cape Verde vs Argentina
Sidny Lopes Cabral, Steven Moreira, Jovane Cabral, Laros Duarte and Nuno Da Costa came on for Cape Verde, with Wagner Pina, Joao Paulo, Jamiro Monteiro, Willy Semedo and Dailon Livramento coming off the bench in the 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia.
Cape Verde starting XI: Vozinha, Diney Borges, Pico Lopes, Sidny Lopes Cabral, Steven Moreira, Kevin Pina, Jovane Cabral, Deroy Duarte, Laros Duarte, Nuno Da Costa, Ryan Mendes
Other places to stay in Cape Verde: Marcio Rosa, Cj Dos Santos, Stopira, Logan Costa, Wagner Pina, Kelvin Pires, Joao Paulo, Jamiro Monteiro, Garry Rodrigues, Yannick Semedo, Willy Semedo, Telmo Arcanjo, Helio Varela, Gilson Benchimol, Dailon Livramento
