Cape Verde Pushes World Champions Argentina to Extra-Time Thriller as Messi Rewrites History
Following an amazing run in the World Cup group stage, world rank 67 as well as World Cup debutant Cape Verde pushed Argentina, the 2022 World Cup champion, into extra time following a 1-1 draw at regular time before the game was decided 3-2 by an own goal in the closing minutes of the game.
The Blue Sharks, who held the European champion, Spain, to a goalless draw in the group stage, shocked the world by qualifying for the knockout stage, where they were drawn with Argentina. After 90 minutes locked in 1-1, the underdogs refused to fold, forcing extra time.
The match was opened by a brilliantly finished goal by Lionel Messi, which sets the record of Messi being the first player to score in every single round of the World Cup and also the first player to score seven goals in two different editions of the World Cup (2022 and 2026). Cape Verde almost ruined the night for Messi when Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte leveled things in the second half to take the game to extra time. The World Cup debutant nearly took the game to penalties but was cut short with eleven minutes left in the game.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha was another standout performer. Although his team ended up on the losing side, his save after save—including denying Messi from a dangerous free kick—earned the applause from his opponent after the final whistle.
