Cape Verde Stun Messi's Argentina Into Extra-Time Thriller as Blue Sharks Chase the Impossible in Miami

Note: this report covers the match as it stands live, with the score locked at 2-2 in extra time at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. It will be updated once the tie is finally decided.

Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup knockout round, have twice pulled level against Lionel Messi's Argentina in a round of 32 tie that has turned into one of the standout matches of the tournament so far. With the score at 2-2 deep into extra time, the reigning world champions are being pushed to the very limit by a Blue Sharks side playing in their first-ever World Cup finals.

The winner advances to face Egypt in Atlanta on July 7, after the Pharaohs beat Australia on penalties earlier on Friday to reach their own first-ever World Cup knockout stage.

Messi Breaks the Deadlock, Then Cape Verde Answer

Argentina dominated the early exchanges without finding a way past Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, the 40-year-old veteran who has anchored the Blue Sharks' run to the knockout stage. Messi went close before halftime, dragging one effort wide after combining with Thiago Almada, before finally breaking through in the 29th minute. A long ball over the top from Lisandro Martinez picked out Messi's run into the right channel, and his first touch and finish combined to lift the ball over Vozinha and into the roof of the net. It was Messi's 20th World Cup goal, extending his own record to eight straight World Cup appearances with a goal and five in a row in the knockout rounds stretching back to 2022.

Cape Verde, who had already secured draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to reach this stage, refused to fold. In the 59th minute, Deroy Duarte turned smartly after receiving a pass from Ryan Mendes and drilled a finish inside the far post for his first international goal, silencing the heavily pro-Argentina crowd in South Florida and levelling the tie at 1-1.

Vozinha Stands Tall as Regulation Ends Level

The closing stages of normal time belonged to Cape Verde's goalkeeper. Vozinha produced a string of saves to deny Argentina a winner, including multiple stops against Messi from open play and set pieces, finishing the 90 minutes with seven saves in total. Argentina finished regulation with 15 shots, eight of them on target, but could not find a way through, and the match went to extra time locked at 1-1.

Extra Time Delivers Twice More

Argentina looked to have settled the tie early in extra time when Lisandro Martinez, who had set up Messi's opener, scored himself from close range at the near post following a corner routine, restoring the lead at 2-1 inside the first two minutes of the additional 30 minutes.

Cape Verde responded again. Defender Sidny Lopes Cabral struck a powerful, curling shot from distance that flew into the top corner past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, levelling the match at 2-2 and sending the Blue Sharks' bench into scenes of disbelief. It is the latest chapter in a Cape Verde campaign that has already been built on resisting bigger, more fancied opposition.

As it stands, the match remains tied at 2-2 in extra time, with both sides having used the bulk of their substitutions and Argentina showing visible signs of fatigue after a string of injury stoppages, including cramp concerns for Enzo Fernandez. If the scores stay level after the full 30 minutes of extra time, the tie will be decided by a penalty shootout.

Bigger Picture

Whatever happens from here, Cape Verde have already delivered one of the defining stories of this expanded, 48-team World Cup. A nation of roughly half a million people has taken unbeaten form into the knockout rounds and is now giving the defending champions a genuine contest deep into extra time. Combined with Egypt's win over Australia earlier on the same day, Friday's round of 32 fixtures have underlined how competitive African representation has become at this tournament, on both the pitch and the scoreboard.

For Ground View News readers following the continent's World Cup story, a Cape Verde win would mean two African nations, Egypt and Cape Verde, meeting in the round of 16 in Atlanta, a fixture that would have been almost unthinkable before this tournament began. This report will be updated with the final result once the match concludes.

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Related Reading

• Egypt reach the World Cup last 16 on penalties after marathon duel with Australia
• Cape Verde's road to the World Cup: how the Blue Sharks built their historic run
• Messi at 30 World Cup appearances: records, milestones and what's left to chase
• Africa at the 2026 World Cup: tracking the continent's knockout-stage sides

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Sources

1. NBC Sports, "Argentina vs Cape Verde live updates: Lionel Messi and the world champs continue repeat pursuit," July 3-4, 2026.
2. The Daily Star, "Argentina vs Cape Verde Latest News | Cape Verde take Messi's Argentina to extra-time," July 3, 2026.
3. Yahoo Sports, "Argentina vs. Cape Verde live updates: World Cup Round of 32 continues after Egypt's PK shootout win," July 3, 2026.
4. Outlook India, "Argentina 2-1 Cape Verde LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup 2026: Lisandro Smashes Ball Into Net As Albiceleste Restore Lead," July 3-4, 2026.
5. VAVEL USA, "Argentina vs Cape Verde LIVE Score Updates: Goal by 'Licha' Martínez (2-1)," July 3, 2026.
6. CBS Sports, "Argentina vs. Cabo Verde live score updates: 2026 World Cup match highlights, news and more," July 3, 2026.
7. ClickOnDetroit/AP, "Argentina and Cape Verde head to extra time at World Cup after ending regulation tied at 1-1," July 3-4, 2026.