The Argentina national football team, aiming to defend its title, narrowly defeated the surprise package Cape Verde in their first knockout match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, advancing to the Round of 16.

Argentina drew 1-1 with Cape Verde after 90 minutes of regulation time and went on to win 3-2 in extra time during the Round of 32 match held at Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday (July 4, KST).

Argentina, which won the tournament in 1978 on home soil, in Mexico in 1986, and at the previous 2022 World Cup in Qatar, continues its pursuit of back-to-back championships.

After defeating Algeria, Austria, and Jordan in the group stage, Argentina faced a tough challenge in its first knockout match before securing the victory.

Argentina will face Egypt, which defeated Australia in a penalty shootout, in the Round of 16 match scheduled for July 8 in Atlanta, USA.

This sets up a highly anticipated clash between the "God of Football" Lionel Messi of Argentina and Egypt's talisman Mohamed Salah.

Meanwhile, the remarkable run of Cape Verde, which emerged as the most talked-about team in this tournament, came to an end as they failed to overcome the Argentine wall.

Participating in the World Cup finals for the first time, the African island nation reached the Round of 32 as the runner-up of Group H (3 points) after drawing all its group stage matches against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. They put on a spectacular performance against Argentina, equalizing twice.

Argentina started with an attacking trio of Messi, Thiago Almada, and Lautaro Martinez, while Cape Verde was anchored by their standout goalkeeper, Vozinha.

In the 15th minute, Messi fired his first left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it went wide to the right. Three minutes later, his free kick was caught by Vozinha.

However, Messi did not miss his chance in the 29th minute, scoring the opening goal.

A long pass from Lisandro Martinez from the center circle connected perfectly with Messi, who opened the scoring with a sublime first touch followed by a left-footed strike.

With this goal, Messi became the first player in World Cup history to reach 20 career goals in the tournament finals. He also moved to the top of the scoring chart with his 7th goal of the tournament, surpassing Kylian Mbappe (France, 6 goals).

Argentina repeatedly stifled Cape Verde's attempts at counterattacks, and Enzo Fernandez's surprise right-footed shot from the penalty arc in the 45th minute was saved by Vozinha, ending the first half with a one-goal lead.

Cape Verde, which came out aggressively in the second half, leveled the score in the 59th minute.

Jovane Cabral delivered a low cross from the right flank, and Dudu Duarte fired a right-footed shot into the net from a difficult, tight angle.

Argentina then launched a series of desperate attacks but struggled to regain the lead.

In the 73rd minute, Vozinha made a save on a right-footed free kick from Messi just outside the penalty arc. In stoppage time, Messi had another golden opportunity from a free kick on the right side of the arc, but his left-footed shot was again blocked by Vozinha.

In the ensuing extra time, Argentina regained the lead just two minutes in through a goal by Lisandro Martinez. However, a resilient Cape Verde side equalized once more before the end of the first half of extra time, leaving Argentina stunned.

In the 103rd minute, Sidney Lopes Cabral received a pass back from a teammate on the left flank, cut into the penalty area, and unleashed a "wonder goal" with his right foot.

Argentina, which nearly fell victim to the biggest upset of the tournament, finally secured the win in the 96th minute of extra time (the 6th minute of the second half of extra time).

A header by Cristian Romero following a Messi corner kick deflected off the body of Cape Verde defender Diney Borges for an own goal, restoring Argentina's lead.

In the 101st minute of extra time, Argentina's Emiliano Martinez, the best goalkeeper of the Qatar World Cup, punched away a free kick from Cabral on the left flank, signaling the impending victory.

Cape Verde continued to launch sharp attacks until the very end, keeping Argentina on edge, but a third miracle did not materialize.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)