Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWow. Wow wow wow wow.That's the most honest reaction anyone can possibly give after watching Argentina's clash with Cape Verde in the World Cup round of 32.Gary Neville quite rightly described it as the best underdog performance he has ever seen, with the competition debutants taking the reigning world champions and the greatest player of all time all the way to the bitter end.Argentina and Cape Verde provide instant World Cup classicEverything looked to be going exactly according to the script when Lionel Messi took down a ball over the top and fired past Vozinha in a very Dennis Bergkamp-esque way with 29 minutes on the clock.Deroy Duarte levelled things up 14 minutes into the second half, though, firing between Lisandro Martinez's legs to leave Emiliano Martinez unsighted from a narrow angle. You may like How to watch Argentina vs Cape Verde for FREE Argentina vs Cape Verde prediction as Lionel Messi show rolls into Miami The greatest World Cup upsets... ever! Argentina were unable to force another goal before the 90 minutes expired, with Cape Verde again resilient and the 40-year-old goalkeeper in inspired form to keep Argentina at bay.That forced the game to extra time, and Cape Verde would have been forgiven for thinking all hope was lost after Lisandro Martinez restored the lead just two minutes into the additional half-hour.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.But Sidny Cabral stunned Argentina just before the interval, cutting inside from the left onto his right foot and putting an absolute pearler of a curler into the far top corner with a finish Mo Salah would count among his best.Cabral celebrated in style, too, running up a set of steps and into what appeared to be the section for friends and family, sharing an embrace with several people including a young woman before returning to the pitch.At 2-2, the tantalising possibility was live again: could we see the biggest shock in World Cup history unfold before our eyes? What to read next World Cup day five highlights: Cape Verde humble Spain, water break frustration, work ahead for Marcelo Bielsa and groups shaping up nicely How did Cape Verde qualify for World Cup 2026? Ranked! The 15 greatest World Cup goals youve probably forgotten Sadly, it wasn't to be. Diney Borges was the unfortunate scorer of an own goal off Messi's corner after he was left unsighted by Cristian Romero's leap and saw the ball cannon in off his arm.Cape Verde still refused to say die, and they gave Argentina more than a couple of scares as they pushed for a third and final equaliser.But the clock was against them, and time ran out before they were able to provide one final twist.Regardless, it was an absolutely phenomenal game of football, and Cape Verde will go home with their heads held high having made the whole world fall in love with them over the past three weeks.Full-time: Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde (After Extra Time)TOPICSArgentinaCape Verde IslandsWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Steven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
