Argentina Survive Extra-Time Thriller, Beat Cape Verde 3-2 — Romero's 111th-Minute Own-Goal Trick, Messi and Lima Involved in Goals as Cape Verde's Dream Run Ends

Argentina edged past Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in the round of 32 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, booking a last-16 meeting with Egypt.

Argentina had topped Group J with a perfect record of three wins, while Cape Verde advanced from Group H in second place after drawing all three of their group matches.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a first-half strike, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead at the break. In the second half, Bryan Duarte leveled for Cape Verde, and Messi later had a clear one-on-one chance saved. Regulation time ended 1-1.

In extra time, Lisandro Martínez fired Argentina back in front, but Willy Cabral's long-range effort pulled Cape Verde level again. Finally, in the 111th minute, Cristian Romero headed home at the near post — the ball deflecting in off a Cape Verde defender for an own goal — to make it 3-2 and send Argentina through.

Key moments:
In the 4th minute, Nahuel Molina was caught with a raised elbow while breaking down the flank, but no foul was given.

Messi came close twice early on: a left-footed strike from inside the box in the 15th minute went just wide, and an 18th-minute free kick was collected by goalkeeper Vozinha.

Argentina took the lead in the 29th minute when Lisandro Martínez chipped a ball into the box for Messi, who controlled and fired home from close range.

Cape Verde equalized in the 59th minute: after a low cross from Stopira Mendes, Bryan Duarte turned and struck home from close range.

Messi broke clear for a one-on-one chance in the 63rd minute, but Vozinha rushed out to block his shot.

Argentina made a double substitution in the 64th minute, bringing on Nicolás González and Julián Álvarez for Giuliano Simeone (Almada) and Lautaro Martínez.

Messi hit the woodwork or was denied multiple times late in regulation: a 69th-minute free kick was blocked by the wall, a 73rd-minute effort was tipped away by the goalkeeper, and a stoppage-time free kick in the 90+4th minute was also saved.

There was a shout for a penalty in the 89th minute when Alexis Mac Allister headed on a Messi pass with a possible handball involved, but referee waved play on.

In extra time, Argentina broke the deadlock in the 93rd minute when Lisandro Martínez rose unmarked at the back post from a corner and volleyed home with his left foot, making it 2-1.

Cape Verde responded in the 104th minute through a curling right-footed effort from the edge of the box by Willy Cabral, leveling at 2-2.

The decisive moment came in the 111th minute: from a Messi corner on the left, Cristian Romero attacked the near post with a header that deflected in off a Cape Verde player for an own goal, putting Argentina 3-2 ahead.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez then produced two crucial late saves — denying Cabral's effort in the 115th minute and a header from Bryan Benchimol in the 119th minute — to secure the win.



Argentina starting XI: E. Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Medina; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi (C), Lautaro Martínez
Argentina substitutes: Musso, Rulli, Senesi, Tagliafico, Montiel, Otamendi, Paredes, Barco, Lo Celso, Palacios, N. González, Álvarez, G. Simeone, Paz, López
Cape Verde starting XI: Vozinha; Borges, S. López, L. Cabral, Moreira; K. Pina, J. Cabral, D. Duarte, B. Duarte, D'Alberto; Mendes (C)
Cape Verde substitutes: Marcio, Dos Santos, Stopira, S. Costa, W. Pina, Pisco, Paulo, Mendonça, Rodrigues, Y. Semedo, W. Semedo, Ancasso, Barreto, B. Benchimol, Livramento