JAKARTA - The Argentina national team was forced to work hard and needed to play extra time to eliminate Tanjung Verde with a hard-won 3-2 victory in the 2026 World Cup 32-team match at the HardRock Stadium, Miami, Florida, USA, Saturday WIB.
Argentina's lead through Lionel Messi's seventh goal of the 2026 World Cup in the first half was canceled by Cape Verde through Laros Duarte and the 1-1 draw score lasted until the end of normal time.
Argentina took the lead again two minutes into the first extra time through Lisandro Martinez, but Cape Verde responded in the 103rd minute through Sidny Cabral. Cape Verde supporters were heartbroken when the World Cup debutant's team's move was confirmed to be stopped by Diney Borges' own goal in the 111th minute.
Meanwhile, Tanjung Verdepulang with a straight head as a debutant team full of surprises for the 2026 World Cup, Argentina continued their move to the 16th round against Egypt, who successfully eliminated Australia through a penalty shootout in an earlier match.
As reported by ANTARA, Argentina dominated possession of the ball from the start of the match, but Tanjung Verde was disciplined in defending and several times threatened through counterattacks.
The first opportunity for the African team came in the seventh minute through Ryan Mendes, but his shot was still able to be secured by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Argentina finally broke the deadlock in the 29th minute through Messi's goal, who perfectly controlled the ball from the left cross from Lisandro Martinez before defeating Vozinhad goalkeeper with a hard shot to the roof of the goal.
Argentina's 1-0 lead lasted until the first half and Cape Verde appeared more aggressive in the second half until they were able to equalize 1-1 when Duarte's shot welcomed RyanMendes' pass was able to pass through Lisandroand EmilianoMartinez.
Argentina tried to increase the intensity of the attack after the goal. Messi several times got a golden opportunity, but Vozinha's brilliant performance under the goalpost of Cape Verde kept the score even until the end of normal time and the match continued into extra time.
Two minutes of the first extra time rolled, Argentina successfully restored the lead through the accuracy of Lisandro Martinez using a header from Alexis Mac Allister in a corner situation, which was difficult to control but he was able to finish with a hard left foot shot into the Tanjung Verde goal.
However, Argentina's advantage disappeared again in the 103rd minute after SidnyCabral scored a spectacular goal from the left side of the penalty box by firing a curved shot into the top corner of the goal that Emiliano Martinez could not reach.
When the match seemed to continue to a penalty shootout, Argentina again took advantage of the dead ball situation.
Messi's corner in the 111th minute was greeted by a hard header from Cristian Romero which gave the Albiceleste a 3-2 lead. Diney Borges, who was involved in an aerial duel with Romeroduring the process of the goal, ended up being the scorer of the suicide goal, because the last ball hit his head before going into the Tanjung Verde goal.
Cape Verde continued to put pressure on the rest of the match and almost equalized through a free kick from Sidny Lopes Cabral in the 116th minute. However, Emiliano Martinez made a crucial save to maintain Argentina's lead.
Until the referee blew the final whistle, the score of 3-2 for Argentina's victory remained, ensuring their move into the last 16 to meet Egypt on Tuesday (7/7).
The following is the line-up of the two teams according to the official FIFA website:
Argentina (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez (GK); Nahuel Molina(GonzaloMontiel), Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Medina(NicolasTagliafico); Rodrigo de Paul(Leandro Paredes), Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Thiago Almada(NicolasGonzalez); Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez(Julian Alvarez).
Coach: Lionel Scaloni (Argentina)
Cape Verde (4-1-4-1): Vozinha (GK); Steven Moreira, Pico Lopes, Diney Borges, Sidny Lopes Cabral; Kevin de Pina(GilsonBenchimol); Ryan Mendes (WillySemedo), LarosDuarte(Jamiro Monteiro), Deroy Duarte(YannickSemedo), Jovane Cabral(HelioVarela); Joia Nuno Da Costa(DailonLivramento).
Coach: Bubista (Cape Verde)
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