Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Defending champions and tournament favourites Argentina arrived at the Miami Stadium expecting to brush aside Cape Verde. It was the world's number one against number 67, a tie that looked painfully one-sided on paper.

Argentina walked through the group stage, but the World Cup's surprise package emerged through Cape Verde. A heroic draw with Spain announced their arrival, a thrilling four-goal battle with Uruguay captured the world's attention, and another hard-fought draw against Saudi Arabia secured second place and an unlikely spot in the knockout rounds.

Now came their biggest challenge yet. Lionel Messi, in scintillating form, stood opposite 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, the veteran tasked with stopping football's greatest ever player.

After 120 minutes, Lionel Messi and Argentina progressed despite being pushed to the brink.

Argentia 3-2 Cape Verde As It Happened

Argentina controlled the game from the off as expected, carefully plotting their way deep into Cape Verde's half.

Up until the first hydration break, the game was somewhat of a chess match, with both teams sticking firmly to their structures and maintaining possession. Lionel Messi had a few chances to break the deadlock, yet the Cape Verde defence resisted the Argentine's ploys. Yet with Messi growing more into the game with every minute passing, the Africans looked as if they would be tested towards the end of the first half.

And tested they were. Instantly after the hydration break, Argentina's number 10 got on the end of a ball from Lisandro Martinez and effortlessly lifted the ball past Vozinha's near post to bag his 20th World Cup goal, and his 7th of this tournament.

Now, the world champions had well and truly arrived in Miami. Every pass looked dangerous, and every Cape Verde advance was shut down with force. Things looked like they could get ugly.

Despite the Argentinian steamroller, Cape Verde, or the "Blue Sharks" as they're more affectionately known, held their own up until half-time. A half chance from former Nottingham Forest winger Ryan Mendes, accompanied with a few promosing passages of play, struck hope into the side, and they entered the tunnel with optimism. This is not over.

Halftime Score: Argentina 1-0 Cape Verde

Cape Verde came out in the second half inspired, chasing every loose ball and playing with their hearts on their sleeve.

After orchestrating a few dangerous passages of play, the finally struck gold. Deroy Duarte picked up the ball on the right side of the box and calmly slotted the ball through the legs of Martinez.

Game on.

Argentina were enraged after conceding. Messi broke through to unleash a right-footed strike, but his shot was blocked by Vozinha. This led to a corner which prompted substitutions for both sides just after the hour mark. The pressure was beginning to mount.

Leading up to the final hydration break, Argentina were mounting the pressure. Lionel Messi had a free-kick from 25 yards out. and going for the far corner, saw his shot saved by the heroic Vozinha. After the hydration break, Argentina went again and were denied once more by Vozinha.

Cape Verde soaked up the pressure tremendously well as the game was dwindled towards extra time. Argentina were reduced to long shots in the final minutes which were comfortably parried away by Vozinha.

With 4 minutes to go in stoppage time, Messi stood over the ball for another free kick from close range. The crowd fell silent, and the Argentinian fans had their heads in their hands.

Messi's shot was timid, and we entered extra time.

Full Time Score: Argentina 1-1 Cape Verde

Into Extra time.

After 2 minutes, the world champions found the back of the net through Man United's Lisandro Martinez.

Cape Verde now had another mountain to climb, and they threw the kitchen sink at Argentina. Substituting two defenders off for attackers, it was now or never for the Blue Sharks.

Enter Sidny Lopes Cabral with the goal of the tournament. Cutting in from the left, the winger released a devastating strike from around 25 yards at an angle that flew over Emi Martinez.

Something is happening here.

Half Time ET: Argentina 2-2 Cape Verde

The second half was end-to-end, with both teams keeping their cards close to their chest as the other one attacked.

Against the run of play, Argentina found themselves back in front against the run of play, with Romero heading it in from a corner.

This was far from over with 10 minutes to play as Cape Verde won a free kick in a dangerous area. Stepping up from an awkward angle once more, Lopes Cabral forced a solid save from Martinez to win a corner for Cape Verde.

After trying absolutely everything, Cape Verde just couldn't break through and grab their third.

Argentina progress with a sigh of relief.

Full Time AET: Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde

Argentina Player Ratings

• Emiliano Martínez (7)
• Nahuel Molina (6)
• Cristian Romero (7)
• Lisandro Martínez (8)
• Facundo Medina (6)
• Rodrigo De Paul (6)
• Alexis Mac Allister (7)
• Enzo Fernández (6)
• Thiago Almada (6)
• Lionel Messi (7)
• Lautaro Martínez (6)
• Nicolas Gonzalez (6)
• Julian Alvarez (6)
• Nicolas Tagliafico (6)
• Gonzalo Montiel (5)

Cape Verde Player Ratings

• Vozinha (8)
• Steven Moreira (7)
• Roberto Lopes (7
• Diney Borges (7)
• Sidny Lopes Cabral (8)
• Kevin Pina (7)
• Ryan Mendes (6)
• Laros Duarte (6)
• Deroy Duarte (7)
• Jovane Cabral (7)
• Nuno da Costa (7)
• Jamiro Monteiro (6)
• Dailon Livramento (6)
• Helio Varela (6)
• Willy Semedo (6)
• Yannick Semedo (7)
• Gilson Benchimol (6)

Man Of The Match - Vozinha

Vozinha leaves this World Cup with his head held high. Cape Verde may be going home, but their legendary goalkeeper has become one of the stories of the tournament.

He arrived with around 50,000 Instagram followers and leaves with more than 17 million, but more importantly, he leaves with the respect of football fans everywhere. In a tournament full of superstars, Vozinha won our hearts.

Bad Day In The Office - Gonzalo Montiel

It was a horror show of a 15 minute cameo for the River Plate defender. Montiel received a yellow, and after being caught out of position, was at fault for Cape Verde's second goal.

The lack of quality in the Argentina squad with regards to depth might come back to hurt them.