Holders Argentina needed Diney Borges 111th-minute own goal from Lionel Messis corner to earn a last-16 place at the World Cup 2026 and end Cape Verdes magical run on their finals debut in a remarkable knockout tie in Miami. Cape Verde, who held European champions Spain as part of an unbeaten group stage, fell behind when Messi brought down Lisandro Martinezs long ball to score in a record-extending eighth World Cup match in the 29th minute, but Deroy Duarte levelled 30 minutes later by collecting Ryan Mendes pass and arrowing a low finish through Lisandro Martinezs legs and beyond goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.Manchester United defender Martinez rifled in with two minutes of extra time played, only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to conjure one of the goals of the tournament by cutting inside the box from the left and curling a spectacular finish into the corner of the net.The Blue Sharks seemingly fearless commitment to attacking looked to have taken the thriller to penalties before the unfortunate Diney nodded in Messis delivery, sending La Albiceleste to meet Egypt, who earlier beat Australia on penalties, in the last 16 in Atlanta on Tuesday (17:00 BST).Table of ContentsArgentina vs Cape Verde: An absolute joyWorld Cup 2026: Argentina team vs Cape VerdeWorld Cup 2026: Cape Verde team vs ArgentinaWorld Cup 2026: Argentina v Cape Verde statsArgentina vs Cape Verde: An absolute joyPositioned between Iraq and Ghana in the rankings, few would have given Cape Verde hope of going as far as a fourth game at the finals, let alone remaining unbeaten over 90 minutes against opponents including the reigning world and European champions and former world champions Uruguay.Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, who became an instant superstar with his performances at the finals at the age of 40, was impressive again, including a one-on-one save to deny Messi a near-immediate second after Duartes goal.Tonight hasnt been their night, former Scotland striker Ally McCoist told ITV, while ex-England defender Gary Neville suggested cynics might have laughed at Cape Verdes involvement before the tournament, describing their efforts as Herculean.An absolute immense game of football, added McCoist. Theyve got far, far, far more than spirit.Boy, have they entertained us this World Cup. Theyve been an absolute joy.World Cup 2026: Argentina team vs Cape VerdeMessi returned in one of nine Argentina changes from their 3-1 win over Jordan on matchday three, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and forward Lautaro Martinez the pair retained.Argentina starting XI: Emiliano Martinez, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Lionel Messi, Thiago Almada, Lautaro MartinezArgentina substitutes: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Marcos Senesi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Otamendi, Leandro Paredes, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Nico Gonzalez, Julian Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, Jose Manuel LopezWorld Cup 2026: Cape Verde team vs ArgentinaSidny Lopes Cabral, Steven Moreira, Jovane Cabral, Laros Duarte and Nuno Da Costa came in for Cape Verde, with Wagner Pina, Joao Paulo, Jamiro Monteiro, Willy Semedo and Dailon Livramento moving to the bench from their 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia.Cape Verde starting XI: Vozinha, Diney Borges, Pico Lopes, Sidny Lopes Cabral, Steven Moreira, Kevin Pina, Jovane Cabral, Deroy Duarte, Laros Duarte, Nuno Da Costa, Ryan MendesCape Verde substitutes: Marcio Rosa, Cj Dos Santos, Stopira, Logan Costa, Wagner Pina, Kelvin Pires, Joao Paulo, Jamiro Monteiro, Garry Rodrigues, Yannick Semedo, Willy Semedo, Telmo Arcanjo, Helio Varela, Gilson Benchimol, Dailon LivramentoWorld Cup 2026: Argentina v Cape Verde statsEight-time Ballon dOr winner Messi has 12 goals in total across that eight-game World Cup run (5 in the last 4 matches in Qatar 2022, 6 in three in 2026)Against Jordan on matchday three, Argentina became the second team to start two players aged at least 38 in a single World Cup edition, with Messi and Nicolas Otamendi following Brazils Thiago Silva and Dani Alves in 2022Only Spain, Mexico and Brazil bettered Cape Verdes record of two goals conceded during the group stage, with only La Roja and El Tri Spain keeping more clean sheets than the two they collectedCape Verde had 25.7% possession against Spain and were outshot 27 to six and 34.8% against Uruguay, with an attempts count of 12-17Against Saudi Arabia, however, they then had 51% of play, 15 attempts to their opponents seven and finished on an expected goals total of 1.39 xG to the Green Falcons 0.39They are the first debutants to go unbeaten in the group stage at the World Cup since Senegal in 2002Vozinha is the third goalkeeper in World Cup history to keep more than one clean sheet after turning 40, following Peter Shilton (three) and Dino Zoff (two) Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Alexis Mac Allister Argentina National Football Team Cape Verde national football team Cristian Romero Emiliano Martinez Enzo Fernandez FIFA World Cup Julian Alvarez Lionel Messi Rodrigo de Paul World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read LIVE Argentina v Cape Verde: World Cup 2026 commentary, updates, goals and stats as Cristian Romero restores holders lead Jon Fisher 4th July, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Colombia vs Ghana confirmed teams and full line ups, TV channel, live online stream and stats Ben Miller 4th July, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Lionel Messi goal in Argentina vs Cape Verde genius at work after magnificent touch Ben Miller 3rd July, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Lionel Messi returns for Argentina vs Cape Verde as teams and full line ups are confirmed, TV channel, live online stream and stats Ben Miller 3rd July, 2026 Mohamed Salah explains penalty after Egypt make history at World Cup 2026: I had to decide at the last minute Ben Miller 3rd July, 2026 World Cup 2026: Australia 1-1 Egypt (2-4 on penalties) report, result, goals as Mohamed Salah dodges Lionel Messi question after scoring in shootout Mitch Fretton 3rd July, 2026
