Defending champions Argentina survived a major scare to book their place in the Round of 16 after edging World Cup debutants Cape Verde 3-2 following extra time in a dramatic last-32 encounter.
Cape Verde, ranked 64th in the FIFA rankings, produced one of the tournament’s most memorable performances, twice fighting back from behind before an unfortunate 111th-minute own goal by Diney Borges finally ended their dream run.
Argentina dominated the early exchanges and went ahead in the 29th minute through captain Lionel Messi, who scored his 20th World Cup goal. Messi brilliantly controlled a long pass from Lisandro Martinez before firing an unstoppable effort high into the net to hand the South Americans a deserved lead.
Despite the setback, Cape Verde refused to surrender and found a deserved equaliser in the second half. Deroy Duarte burst into the penalty area and struck from a tight angle, with his effort squeezing through Lisandro Martinez’s legs and beyond goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to make it 1-1.
With the scores level after regulation time, the contest headed into extra time, where the drama intensified.
Just two minutes into the additional period, Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina’s lead, reacting quickest to Alexis Mac Allister’s flick from a corner before powering his finish past Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.
The African debutants responded again in spectacular fashion. In the 103rd minute, Sidny Lopes Cabral cut in from the left edge of the penalty area and curled a magnificent strike into the top corner, leaving Emiliano Martinez with no chance as Cape Verde levelled at 2-2.
Cabral nearly completed one of the greatest World Cup upsets moments later but saw his effort brilliantly denied by the Argentina goalkeeper.
As penalties loomed, Argentina finally found the breakthrough in the 111th minute. Cristian Romero’s header took a cruel deflection off Diney Borges before finding the back of the net, with the own goal proving decisive.
Veteran Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha was outstanding throughout the encounter, producing eight crucial saves, including denying Messi in a one-on-one situation and tipping over a dangerous free-kick from the Argentine captain.
At the final whistle, Argentina celebrated qualification, while several of their players, including Messi and Emiliano Martinez, consoled the devastated Cape Verde squad.
Although their historic World Cup campaign ended in heartbreak, Cape Verde left the tournament with widespread admiration after pushing the defending champions to the limit in one of the competition’s most dramatic knockout matches.
(The Whistler)