World Cup 2026: Argentina eliminate Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in round of 32

Argentina snatched qualification for the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup by beating Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time on July 3 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Ahead at the break thanks to a goal from Lionel Messi, the South American side had to deal with fierce resistance and an uncertain match before prevailing after three goals were scored in extra time.

Henry DONCHE
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Football
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World Cup 2026: Argentina eliminate Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in round of 32
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This round-of-32 match featured a contrast between Argentina’s attacking 4-4-2 approach and Cape Verde’s compact defense in a 4-1-4-1. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni named a starting XI featuring Emiliano Martínez in goal, defenders Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martínez and Medina, a four-man midfield of De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernández and Almada, and an attack led by Messi and Lautaro Martínez. For Cape Verde, coached by Pedro Leitao Brito, the setup was built around goalkeeper Vozinha, a solid defense and a reinforced midfield with a single defensive pivot, Kevin Lenini, to contain the opposition’s attacks.

Lionel Messi scored the opening goal in the 29th minute from a Lisandro Martínez assist, rewarding Argentina’s territorial dominance, which peaked at 64% possession and a clear superiority in shots, with 22 attempts including 10 on target. Cape Verde also showed its attacking ability, however, with a Deroy Duarte goal ruled out for offside in the 59th minute, before Lopes Cabral’s equalizer in the 103rd minute of extra time raised hopes for the African side.

The match accelerated in extra time as the intensity increased. Lautaro Martínez restored Argentina’s lead in the 92nd minute, assisted by Alexis Mac Allister. Cape Verde then equalized through Lopes Cabral in the 103rd minute. Finally, Deroy Borges gave Argentina the win in the 111th minute.

This victory sends Argentina through to face Egypt in the quarter-finals, an opponent now awaiting Lionel Scaloni’s team after its earlier qualification in the tournament. Cape Verde exits the competition with honor after a battling performance against a title contender.

Argentina’s attacking play dominates despite a tense finish

In a 4-4-2, Argentina applied heavy attacking pressure, reflected in 22 shots, including 15 from inside the box, compared with 13 attempts for Cape Verde. Lionel Messi was at the heart of the play, producing 7 shots with 6 on target and opening the scoring. Lisandro Martínez also contributed going forward with a goal and an assist, underlining the defender’s versatility.

From the bench, Scaloni brought on Julián Álvarez and Nicolás González, who helped maintain the pressure in the closing stages. The defense held firm despite the opponent’s determination, thanks in particular to Emiliano Martínez, who made three key saves.

Cape Verde puts up brave resistance with multiple attacking contributions

Cape Verde, set up in a 4-1-4-1, tried to limit gaps and make use of counterattacks. Goalkeeper Vozinha made a string of saves, eight in total, to contain Argentina’s frequent attacks. In attack, Lopes Cabral and Deroy Duarte managed to find the net, producing clear chances despite the opponent’s dominance.

Pedro Leitao Brito used his substitutions to try to add attacking dynamism, notably with the introductions of Jamiro Monteiro and Willy Semedo. The defensive discipline nevertheless wavered against Argentina’s experience and technical quality in extra time.

Argentina
After extra time Miami Stadium
Cape Verde
03/07/2026 23:00 Round of 32 90 min 1-1
Fil du match
  1. 29'But - L. Messi (passe L. Martinez)Argentine, 29e
  2. 59'But - D. Duarte (passe R. Mendes)Cap-Vert, 59e
  3. 63'Remplacement - L. Martinez (remplace J. Alvarez)Argentine, 63e
  4. 64'Remplacement - T. Almada (remplace N. Gonzalez)Argentine, 64e
  5. 67'Remplacement - L. Duarte (remplace J. Monteiro)Cap-Vert, 67e
  6. 67'Remplacement - N. Da Costa (remplace D. Livramento)Cap-Vert, 67e
  7. 68'Carton jaune - K. LeniniCap-Vert, 68e
  8. 80'Remplacement - R. Mendes (remplace W. Semedo)Cap-Vert, 80e
  9. 80'Remplacement - J. Cabral (remplace H. Varela)Cap-Vert, 80e
  10. 84'Remplacement - R. de Paul (remplace L. Paredes)Argentine, 84e
  11. 86'Remplacement - F. Medina (remplace N. Tagliafico)Argentine, 86e
  12. 92'But - L. Martinez (passe A. Mac Allister)Argentine, 92e
  13. 100'Remplacement - D. Duarte (remplace Y. Semedo)Cap-Vert, 100e
  14. 100'Remplacement - K. Lenini (remplace Benchimol)Cap-Vert, 100e
  15. 103'But - S. Lopes Cabral (passe Y. Semedo)Cap-Vert, 103e
  16. 104'Remplacement - N. Molina (remplace G. Montiel)Argentine, 104e
  17. 111'But - D. BorgesArgentine, 111e
  18. 115'Carton jaune - G. MontielArgentine, 115e
Les chiffres du match
  • Tirs cadres : Argentina 10 / Cape Verde 5
  • Tirs : Argentina 22 / Cape Verde 13
  • Possession : Argentina 64% / Cape Verde 36%
  • Corners : Argentina 8 / Cape Verde 7
  • Fautes : Argentina 13 / Cape Verde 12
  • Cartons jaunes : Argentina 1 / Cape Verde 1
  • Passes : Argentina 843 / Cape Verde 466
  • Precision des passes : Argentina 92% / Cape Verde 86%
  • xG : Argentina 2.15 / Cape Verde 0.36
Joueurs clés
  • Lisandro Martínez (Argentina) : note 9.2, 1 but(s), 1 passe(s) decisive(s)
  • Lionel Messi (Argentina) : note 9.5, 1 but(s)
  • Vozinha (Cape Verde) : note 8.2, 8 arret(s)
  • Sidny Lopes Cabral (Cape Verde) : note 7.5, 1 but(s)
  • Deroy Duarte (Cape Verde) : note 7.2, 1 but(s)
Round of 32 schedule
Round of 32
South Africa
Finished Los Angeles Stadium
Canada
Round of 32
Brazil
Finished Houston Stadium
Japan
Round of 32
Germany
Penalties finished Boston Stadium
Paraguay
Round of 32
Netherlands
Penalties finished Monterrey Stadium
Morocco
Round of 32
Ivory Coast
Finished Dallas Stadium
Norway
Round of 32
France
Finished New York New Jersey Stadium
Sweden
Round of 32
Mexico
Postponed Mexico City Stadium
Ecuador
Round of 32
England
Finished Atlanta Stadium
DR Congo
Round of 32
Belgium
After extra time Seattle Stadium
Senegal
Round of 32
United States
Finished San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Round of 32
Spain
Finished Los Angeles Stadium
Austria
Round of 32
Portugal
Finished Toronto Stadium
Croatia
Round of 32
Switzerland
Finished Vancouver Stadium
Algeria
Round of 32
Australia
Penalties finished Dallas Stadium
Egypt
Round of 32
Argentina
After extra time Miami Stadium
Cape Verde
Round of 32
Colombia
Half-time Kansas City Stadium
Ghana

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