Argentina escapes Cape Verde upset thanks to extra‑time winner

Cape Verde managed to hold Argentina early on, even finding the first shot of the match in the 7th minute, courtesy of Ryan Mendes.

But Argentina would not be kept scoreless for long.

It would take the Argentines 29 minutes to find their first goal of the match.

And who else would send it home but the man himself, Lionel Messi.

Messi’s goal marks his 20th in a World Cup and puts him two clear of France’s Kylian Mbappé for the all-time scorer record.

Argentina would expectedly hold a majority of the possession in the half, with 66% at halftime.

As well, they outshot Cape Verde five to one as they took their one goal advantage into the half.

Cabo Verde would look to equalize coming into the second 45, finding two shots in the 49th.

A few minutes later in the 54th minute, Deroy Duarte would force the first save of the day for Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.

But Duarte would just not be denied.

Cabo Verde, arguably the smallest David to ever face Goliath, did the unthinkable.

In the 59th minute, following a pass into the box by Mendes, Duarte would slot a shot from a narrow angle through the legs of Lisandro Martínez and off the foot of Emiliano Martínez for a goal.

However, Messi looked to put Argentina right back on top following a pass into the box would see him in a one-on-one with Vozinha.

But Vozinha, as he’s done all tournament, stood unphased, blocking the strike and keeping the match even at one.

However, a Cape Verden foul outside the box would give Messi another chance at net.

Messi would take the free kick quickly, catching Vozinha out of position still trying to direct his defenders in the wall.

But Vozinha, almost routinely to this point, made yet another incredible save.

In the 81st minute more drama would ensue.

A cross into the box would see Enzo Fernández on the back post with a wide-open net.

But Pico Lopes would clear the ball back towards net and out of play.

Full-time would see both teams even at one, bringing the contest into extra time.

But Argentina would make sure to put the possible Cinderella story on hold early into stoppage-time.

A corner kick would skip to the back post where Lisandro Martínez would collect it.

After taking a few touches, he would lift the ball above Vozinha and right into the roof of the net, putting Argentina back ahead.

But Cabo Verde, once again, would rise to the challenge.

Not being swayed, in the 103rd minute, Sidny Lopes Cabral would find himself taking strike wide of the net.

His strike would see the ball lifted into the top right corner, equalizing the game once again with an unbelievable golazo.

But once again, Argentina would climb back on top.

Argentina would find their next opportunity in the 111th minute.

A corner would see Diney Borges strike a header right past Vozinha and put Argentina back up once again.

In the 116th minute it seemed Cape Verde had done it once again, but this time Emiliano Martínez would be ready.

Just three minutes later, it seemed Cape Verde would find yet another equalizer, but yet another incredible save by Emiliano Martínez would keep Argentina ahead.

And there the score would stay, seeing Argentina avoid arguably the largest upset in World Cup history and advance to the round of 16.

For the debutants Cape Verde, they will head home knowing they took the reigning World Cup champions and favorites to the bell.

Argentina will take on Egypt at noon on Tuesday for their round of 16 match.

Follow Adrian Murillo Silva on Instagram @adrianms_official