Lionel Messi scored a record 20th World Cup goal as reigning champions Argentina were forced to dig deep for a hard-fought 3-2 extra-time victory against minnows Cape Verde, avoiding a stunning upset and booking their place in the 2026 World Cup last 16.
Messi’s sublime control and finish for his seventh goal of the tournament in just four games put the defending champions in command.
The 39-year-old produced a moment of magic with a feather-light touch from Lisandro Martinez’s pass before lifting a composed finish beyond Vozinha to break the deadlock.
In doing so, Messi also extended his own record by scoring in eight consecutive World Cup matches and restored his two-goal advantage over France’s Kylian Mbappe in the race to become the competition’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Argentina survive Cabo Verde scare to seal World Cup last-16 berth
However, the Blue Sharks stubbornly refused to back down as Deroy Duarte’s strike on the hour mark forced Argentina to expend far more energy than they would have wanted in the draining Miami heat.
Lisandro Martinez briefly restored Argentina’s advantage early in extra time.
The Manchester United defender unleashed a rising drive after a corner fell kindly to him just two minutes into the additional period, seemingly swinging the momentum firmly back in Argentina’s favour.
But once again, Cape Verde refused to surrender and levelled with one of the goals of the tournament as Sidny Lopes Cabral thundered an unstoppable strike into the top corner.
Another Argentina corner finally settled the contest when Cristian Romero rose highest to meet Messi’s delivery, with the ball taking a deflection off Diney Borges before ending up in the net for an own goal.
La Albiceleste will face Egypt next on Tuesday in Atlanta, but there were still concerns for Lionel Scaloni on his 100th match in charge despite what appears to be a favourable draw.
Cape Verde had already shown what they were capable of by holding European champions Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws in Group H to reach the knockout stages in their first-ever World Cup appearance.
Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:
Morocco national football team 2026
Argentina national football team 2026
Mexico national football team 2026
Spain national football team 2026
Brazil national football team 2026
France national football team 2026
Senegal national football team 2026