Unsung Heroes Ride to Messi's Rescue as Argentina Scrape Past Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde took the defending champions to the wire, but Argentina held on to secure a place in the round of 16 with a hard-fought 3–2 extra-time win on Friday.

A dull affair at Hard Rock Stadium was transformed in a flash when Lionel Messi slipped in behind the backline and, after an exquisite first touch, rifled Argentina ahead with his 20th World Cup goal of his career.

Argentina eased off the accelerator after going in front, and Cabo Verde grew increasingly dangerous until a stunning move featuring two nutmegs was capped by Deroy Duarte slotting home the equalizer around the hour mark. La Albiceleste attempted to respond but couldn't find a way through before the final whistle, sending the match into extra time.

Just minutes into the first period of extra time, Alexis Mac Allister glanced a header from a corner that dropped perfectly for Lisandro Martínez, who composed himself and unleashed a thunderbolt past Vozinha. The goal seemed to have sealed it for Argentina, but the drama was far from over.

WIN FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ FINAL TICKETS & OTHER PRIZES

Before the close of the first extra-time period, Sidny Lopes Cabral cut in from the left and curled a stunning effort into the bottom corner to level things up once more, producing what many are calling the finest goal of the 2026 World Cup to date.

La Albiceleste dug deep, and ultimately it was fellow center-back Cristian Romero who rose highest from another corner, nodding Messi's delivery into the net to restore Argentina's lead — one they would not surrender.

Cabo Verde continued to press and pushed the champions to the edge late on, yet Argentina managed to hold firm. It's a gut-wrenching conclusion to Cabo Verde's remarkable World Cup journey, bowing out with a courageous display. Argentina, meanwhile, has much to address, as considerable improvement will be required if they are to defend their title.

One Thing We Can't Ignore

The extent to which Argentina has leaned on Messi throughout the 2026 World Cup is both remarkable and alarming.

The brilliance Messi has produced over the past three weeks has concealed a glaring issue for Argentina: without him, La Albiceleste looks completely toothless in attack.

When Messi has featured, he has been the sole scorer for Argentina at this tournament — Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martínez netted against Jordan with Messi on the bench — right up until Martínez and Romero struck in extra time from a corner delivered by Messi himself.

Messi provided the breakthrough against Cabo Verde, yet Argentina was woeful from that point until they were jolted by the equalizer. Once the champions needed another goal, Messi appeared to be the only one capable of conjuring something.

What Messi has produced this summer has been nothing short of extraordinary, but Argentina's heavy reliance on a 39-year-old is a genuine concern, particularly given they haven't been this dependent on him since the 2024 Copa América.

Argentina Player Ratings vs. Cabo Verde (4-4–2)

*Ratings Provided by FotMob*

GK: Emiliano Martínez—6.2: When Cabo Verde pushed the champions to the brink late on, it was Martínez who pulled off a pair of outstanding saves to keep Argentina in the contest.

RB: Nahuel Molina—6.3: Jovane Cabral caused him some early difficulties, though he steadied as the game progressed. Even so, it wasn't the most assured performance from the Atlético Madrid defender.

CB: Cristian Romero—7.5: Shook off some fitness concerns and was typically commanding at the center of Argentina's defense. Delivered when it mattered most, winning the aerial duel that ultimately sent Argentina through to the last 16.

CB: Lisandro Martínez—8.7: Built on his impressive World Cup form with another commanding defensive display. A beautifully weighted pass into Messi's path earned him his first ever tournament assist, before he capped his performance with a superb goal.

LB: Facundo Medina—7.3: Covered vast ground down the left flank, providing width in attack that allowed Almada to operate centrally while also dealing comfortably with his defensive duties. His tireless work eventually caught up with him and he was forced off with what appeared to be a muscular problem.

RM: Rodrigo De Paul—7.0: Came to life after Cabo Verde equalized, but was largely invisible before that point.

CM: Alexis Mac Allister—8.2: A fairly quiet outing from Mac Allister, who largely opted for the safe, sideways pass rather than attempting to drive play forward — the kind of display Liverpool supporters grew weary of in 2025–26. He improved toward the end, though his work rate was the main highlight.

CM: Enzo Fernández—7.8: Much like his fellow midfielders, he lacked sharpness in possession and urgency without the ball. He was subdued and largely ineffective, though, like Mac Allister, he raised his level when the situation demanded it.

LM: Thiago Almada—6.9: While he continues to be one of the players who best understands how to combine with Messi, he was far less impactful than in his group stage outings.

ST: Lionel Messi—8.7: What more can be said? Argentina found the opening goal thanks to his utterly outrageous finish. He then appeared to be the only player capable of steering Argentina through, and he duly provided the assist for the winner.

ST: Lautaro Martínez—6.2: His pressing remains vital to cover for Messi, but he was barely involved. Played a neat pass to Messi that should have led to Argentina's second in the closing moments of his time on the pitch.

SUB: Nicolás González (63' for Almada)—7.2: His arrival immediately injected a wide threat that Argentina had been missing.

SUB: Julián Alvarez (63' for Martínez)—6.6: Struggled to make his presence felt during his time on the pitch. It's evident he is not yet at full fitness.

SUB: Leandro Paredes (84' for De Paul)—6.6: Brought some composure to Argentina amid the frantic nature of extra time. Never shy about putting in a tackle to win possession back.

SUB: Nicolás Tagliafico (86' for Medina)—6.9: Performed solidly, with most of Cabo Verde's threat coming from the opposite flank.

SUB: Gonzalo Montiel (104' for Molina)—5.9: Came on without the required intensity. Was booked after committing a reckless foul.

Subs not used: Gerónimo Rulli (GK), Juan Musso (GK), Marcos Senesi, Nicolás Otamendi, Exequiel Palacios, Giovani Lo Celso, Guiliano Simeone, Nico Paz, Valentín Barco, José Manuel López.

What the Ratings Tell Us

The Numbers That Explain Argentina's Giant Scare

Enable functional cookies to see this feature.