Madness in Miami: Argentina Survive Extra Time to Beat Cape Verde 3-2
Messi produces a moment of magic, but Cape Verde’s fairytale run almost survives to the 110th minute. Romero seals it as Argentina move on to face Egypt.
MIAMI — What was supposed to be a formality turned into the wildest match of the Round of 32. Defending world champions Argentina needed all 120 minutes to see off Cape Verde 3-2, with the African underdogs coming agonizingly close to the upset of the tournament in front of a rocking Hard Rock Stadium.
A goal from another planet
In the 29th minute, Lionel Messi lit up the game with a moment that will be replayed for years: picking up a pinpoint long ball from Lisandro Martinez, Argentina’s captain cushioned the ball on the outside of his left foot, redirected it onto his instep, and fired it into the net before defenders could react. It was his seventh goal of this World Cup and the 124th of his international career.
It looked like the goal that would settle the tie. Cape Verde, the true surprise package of these Round of 32 fixtures, had other ideas.
Vozinha stands tall, Duarte levels it
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha turned in a heroic performance, repeatedly denying Messi and his teammates. In the 59th minute, the equalizer arrived: Deroy Duarte struck a low, precise shot from the edge of the box that beat Emiliano Martinez. Regulation time ended 1-1, with Argentina unable to find a second goal despite firing 22 shots to Cape Verde’s 16.
Extra time drama
Extra time appeared to swing back in Argentina’s favor when, in the 92nd minute, Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez enjoyed the night of his life, controlling a Messi corner with a clinical left-footed finish that flew into the top corner. Argentina led 2-1.
Cape Verde refused to fold. In the 103rd minute, Sidny Lopes Cabral — a Trabzonspor full-back who was playing in Germany’s fifth division just three years ago — beat Mac Allister down the flank and curled a stunning right-footed effort into the top corner, one of the goals of the tournament. He sprinted to the stands to celebrate with his girlfriend as the stadium erupted in disbelief.
Romero delivers, but the drama isn’t over
The second period of extra time opened with Argentina pushing forward again. In the 110th minute, another Messi corner found the head of Cristian Romero, with a deflection off a Cape Verde defender wrong-footing Vozinha for the decisive 3-2.
It still wasn’t over. Cape Verde came close to another equalizer through Cabral from distance, and goalkeeper “El Dibu” Martinez was called into action once more in stoppage time. When the final whistle blew, Argentina could finally celebrate.
Scaloni: “Madness, but that’s football”
A visibly drained Lionel Scaloni summed up the toughest match of his World Cup so far afterward, praising a Cape Verde side that leaves the tournament unbeaten in regulation time and departs to applause from both sets of fans.
Next up: Egypt’s Salah
Argentina advance to the Round of 16, where they will face Mohamed Salah’s Egypt on Tuesday, July 7 (6:00 PM local time, in Atlanta). Having been pushed to the absolute limit physically and mentally against Cape Verde, Scaloni’s side will need to find their sharpness again to continue their title defense.
Argentina (4-3-1-2): E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Medina (Tagliafico); De Paul (Paredes), Mac Allister, Fernandez; Almada (Nico Gonzalez); Messi, Lautaro Martinez (J. Alvarez). Coach: Scaloni.
Cape Verde (4-1-4-1): Vozinha; Moreira, Pico, Diney, L. Cabral; Pina (Semedo); Cabral (Varela), D. Duarte (Benchimol), L. Duarte (Monteiro), Da Costa (Livramento); R. Mendes (Semedo). Coach: Bubista.