Messi Scores Again as Argentina Edge Cape Verde in Extra Time

In the first knockout round of the 2026 World Cup, defending champions Argentina faced debutants Cape Verde and needed extra time to secure a 3-2 victory.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, controlling a long pass from Lisandro Martínez and firing past goalkeeper Vozinha from close range. It was Messi's seventh goal of the tournament and his 20th overall in World Cups, making him the all-time leading scorer in the competition's history.

Cape Verde equalized in the 59th minute through Derujs Duarte after a well-worked move. Messi came close to restoring Argentina's lead with a free kick in the 73rd minute, but Vozinha made a fine save.

The match went to extra time at 1-1, and Argentina regained the lead in the 92nd minute through Martínez. However, Cape Verde struck back again in the 103rd minute when Sidny Lopes Cabral scored a spectacular goal from the edge of the box to make it 2-2.

Argentina's winner came in the 111th minute. Messi's corner was headed by Cristian Romero, and the ball deflected off Cape Verde's Dinei Borges into the net.

Argentina dominated possession and had 22 shots to Cape Verde's 16 (10 on target to 5). Cape Verde had seven shots in the second half of extra time.

In the round of 16, Argentina will face Egypt, who beat Australia on penalties.

This is the first World Cup with 48 teams, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, advanced to the knockout stage.