ArgentinavsCabo Verde

Result

Argentina survived the biggest scare of their title defence, edging Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time against a nation playing its first World Cup. Lionel Messi curled the holders ahead just before the half-hour, but Deroy Duarte levelled after the break; when Lisandro Martínez turned in a corner to restore the lead early in extra time, Sidny Lopes Cabral answered with a magnificent curling finish from the edge of the box to make it 2-2. Cristian Romero's header, deflected in off Diney Borges, finally settled it as an own goal in the 111th minute. Vozinha made eight saves in a heroic display, but Argentina's greater weight of chances — 22 shots to 16 — eventually told. Argentina advance to the round of 16.

Argentina 4-4-24-1-4-1 Cabo Verde

Argentina

Cabo Verde

Lionel Messi29'

Deroy Duarte59'

Lisandro Martínez92'

Sidny Lopes Cabral103'

Diney Borges (o.g.)111'

Gonzalo Montiel115'

Kevin Pina68'

64%Possession36%

22Shots16

10On target5

3Saves8

8Corners8

779Passes completed409

92%Pass accuracy86%

22Tackles19

52Touches in box16

Substitutions

Julián Álvarezfor Lautaro Martínezat 63'

Jamiro Monteirofor Laros Duarteat 67'

Nico Gonzálezfor Thiago Almadaat 64'

Dailon Livramentofor Nuno da Costaat 67'

Leandro Paredesfor Rodrigo De Paulat 84'

Willy Semedofor Ryan Mendesat 80'

Nicolás Tagliaficofor Facundo Medinaat 86'

Hélio Varelafor Jovane Cabralat 80'

Gonzalo Montielfor Nahuel Molinaat 104'

Yannick Semedofor Deroy Duarteat 100'

Gilson Benchimolfor Kevin Pinaat 100'

At this Stage

The round of 32's widest mismatch on paper became its greatest scare. Cape Verde — the smallest nation by population ever to play at a World Cup, and a debutant that hadn't won a group game — twice pegged the defending champions back, Deroy Duarte cancelling out Messi and Sidny Lopes Cabral's stunning extra-time curler answering Lisandro Martínez. Only a Cristian Romero header, turned into his own net by Diney Borges on 111 minutes, spared Argentina a shootout their nerves scarcely deserved. The holders march on to a round-of-16 meeting with Egypt in Atlanta; Cape Verde go home having pushed the world champions the full 120 minutes and announced themselves to the sport.

Argentina✓3

Cabo Verde2

Jul 3 · aet

Miami Stadium

Australia1

Egypt✓1

Jul 3 · 2–4 pens

Dallas Stadium

Argentina✓3

Egypt2

Jul 7 · FT

Atlanta Stadium

Round of 32

Argentina✓3

Cabo Verde2

Jul 3 · aet

Miami Stadium

Australia1

Egypt✓1

Jul 3 · 2–4 pens

Dallas Stadium

Round of 16

Argentina✓3

Egypt2

Jul 7 · FT

Atlanta Stadium

What we know now

What I said beforehand

The preview, frozen at kickoff. Clearly dated, never rewritten — that's the deal that makes the predictions worth anything.

Argentina to advance, comfortably. The defending champions won all three group games — one of only three sides to do so — and Lionel Messi has scored six of their eight goals, a streak of scoring in seven straight World Cup matches. Cabo Verde's fairytale run to a first-ever knockout stage was built on defensive resilience: draws with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, two clean sheets, and Vozinha in inspired form. The Blue Sharks will sit deep and make Argentina wait, but the champions' 10-match winning run in knockout football and the sheer depth behind Messi should tell well before penalties threaten. 2-0 Argentina.

Both cases written 2026-07-02, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 9% belongs to the draw.