Argentina needed 111th minute own goal to eliminate Cape Verde and to avoid 1 of the biggest upsets in World Cup history as they ultimately advanced to the 1/8 finals of the tournament.
The debutants came back 2 times to even the result vs. a team that is ranked 2nd in the world.
With the match 1-1 after the regular time, Cape Verde forced Argentina to play extra time. Lisandro Martinez scored only 2 minutes into it and thought that he had won it for his country.
However, Sidny Lopes Cabral scored 1 of the tournament’s great goals when the Cape Verde player cut inside to the left of the box and whipped a curling strike over Emi Martinez and into the top corner for 2-2.
Cabral was close to tying the result for a 3rd time, but Martinez saved his shot, and this way Argentina avoided penalties.
The opening goal in the match was scored by Leo Messi in the 29th minute, as that was his 20th World Cup goal, and everyone thought that the South American country would only score more in the 2nd half, but Cape Verde had other plans and despite the defeat, made all football fans proud of them.
Argentina's extra time winner sends them to the Round of 16! 👏#FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 4, 2026
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