World Cup 2026 | Argentina 3 - 2 Cape Verde

Argentina needed a 111th-minute Diney Borges own goal to avoid one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

The holders edged past heroic debutants Cape Verde in the last 32.

Author | Sean M

Stadium | Miami Stadium

The side ranked 64th in the Fifa world rankings twice fought back to level against opponents who sit second in the world.

With the score 1-1 after 90 minutes, the underdogs forced their celebrated opponents into extra time. Lisandro Martínez then appeared to have won it for Argentina with an excellent finish in the 92nd minute.

But Sidny Lopes Cabral produced one of the goals of the tournament 11 minutes later, cutting in from the left before curling a superb strike over goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and into the top corner to make it 2-2.

Cabral, enjoying the finest night of his career, almost completed a remarkable victory when he forced an outstanding save from Martínez four minutes from the end of extra time. Cape Verde, however, could not find a third equaliser to take the tie to penalties.

The atmosphere in Miami had been electric from the outset

Thousands of Argentina supporters created a carnival mood. It had then looked as though the holders were cruising towards victory when Lionel Messi produced another moment of brilliance in the 29th minute.

The Argentina captain claimed his 20th World Cup goal, bringing down a long pass from defender Martínez with exquisite control before firing high into the net.

But the smallest nation ever to feature in a World Cup knockout match refused to bow out quietly.

Deroy Duarte drew Cape Verde level in the second half, timing his run into the area before drilling a finish through the legs of Martínez and beyond the goalkeeper from a tight angle, prompting emotional celebrations among the Cape Verde supporters.

Just two minutes into extra time, Martínez met Alexis Mac Allister's flick-on from a corner and hammered home to restore Argentina's lead.

Cabral's stunning equaliser followed to keep Cape Verde's dream alive. Although their historic run ultimately came to an end through Borges' unfortunate own goal, the tournament debutants departed having delivered one of the World Cup's most memorable performances.