Result

Holders Argentina beat World Cup debutants Cabo Verde 3-2 after extra time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup round of 32 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 3 July 2026, surviving one of the great scares of the tournament.

Goals

Lionel Messi 29', Lisandro Martinez 92' (Argentina); Duarte 59', Sidny Lopes Cabral 103' (Cabo Verde); Diney Borges 111' (own goal).

Match report

Lionel Messi extended his all-time World Cup scoring record to 20 goals with the opener, his seventh strike of the tournament, but Cabo Verde refused to fold and levelled through Duarte before the hour. Lisandro Martinez restored the lead from a corner, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to curl a magnificent equaliser in from the edge of the area and drag the tie deep into extra time. The winner finally arrived in the 111th minute, when Cristian Romero's header from a Messi corner went in off Diney Borges. Argentina moved on to face Egypt in the round of 16, while heroic debutants Cabo Verde exited with the tournament's respect. Watch the full Argentina vs Cabo Verde highlights and all five goals above.

People also ask

Who scored in Argentina vs Cabo Verde?

Lionel Messi and Lisandro Martinez for Argentina, with a Diney Borges own goal deciding it; Duarte and Sidny Lopes Cabral for Cabo Verde.

What was the final score of Argentina vs Cabo Verde?

Argentina won 3-2 after extra time.

Did Messi score against Cabo Verde?

Yes - his 29th-minute opener was his 20th World Cup goal, extending his all-time tournament record.