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LIVE UPDATES: Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde World Cup 2026 – Follow all the action, goals and celebrations

Eric Kwafo July 03, 2026
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World Cup 2026

120+3′ It’s all over. Argentina survive Cape Verde’s scare to progress to the Round of 16.

119’ WHAT A SAVE! Emiliano Martínez produces a stunning stop to deny Steven Moreira (Cape Verde), who had powered a close-range header towards the left post after meeting a dangerous cross. Argentina survive and concede a corner under heavy pressure.

116’ Sidny Lopes Cabral (Cape Verde) bends a dangerous free kick from the edge of the box towards the top right corner, but Emiliano Martínez reacts brilliantly to claw the effort away. Cape Verde win a corner as the pressure builds.

111’ GOAL! Argentina regain the lead as Lionel Messi delivers a perfectly weighted corner and Cristian Romero rises highest to power a bullet header into the right side of the net. Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde.

106’ The second period of extra time gets underway as both sides return to the pitch for a decisive final push.

105+2’ The first period of extra time comes to an end, with the sides still locked in a tense battle as they head into the break.

105+1’ Lionel Messi (Argentina) races onto a precise pass and finds himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Vozinha stands tall and makes an important save to deny the Argentina captain.

103’ GOAL! Cape Verde level the match in spectacular fashion as Sidny Lopes Cabral picks up a loose pass and unleashes a brilliant mid-range strike into the top right corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. Argentina 2-2 Cape Verde.

100’ Cape Verde make a change as Deroy Duarte is replaced following tactical instructions from Pedro Leitão Brito, with Yannick Semedo coming on to add fresh energy in midfield.

99’ Julián Álvarez (Argentina) reacts quickest to a rebound inside the box and fires towards goal, but his effort is brilliantly blocked by the Cape Verde defence. Argentina win a corner as pressure continues to build.

92’ GOAL! Argentina strike early in extra time as Lisandro Martínez finishes from close range, burying the ball after an Alexis Mac Allister knockdown from the resulting corner. Argentina 2-1 Cape Verde.

91’ Extra time gets underway after Drew Fischer signals the restart following a tense end to normal time.

90+9’ The referee brings the second half to an end after a breathless finish, with nothing to separate Argentina and Cape Verde as the match heads into extra time.

90+5’ Lionel Messi (Argentina) steps up from a free kick on the edge of the box, but Vozinha is equal to it once again, reacting sharply to keep the effort out as it heads towards the middle of the goal.

90+2’ Leandro Paredes (Argentina) tries his luck from distance after picking up a loose pass, but his shot is comfortably saved under the crossbar by the Cape Verde goalkeeper.

90’ The fourth official signals a minimum of eight minutes of added time as this dramatic contest moves into its final stretch.

87’ Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) reacts quickly to a loose ball on the edge of the box but sees his effort blocked by a wall of Cape Verde defenders before Argentina win a corner.

86’ Forced change for Argentina as Facundo Medina goes off injured and is replaced by Nicolas Tagliafico.

84’ Rodrigo de Paul is withdrawn for Argentina, with Leandro Paredes coming on to add fresh energy in midfield.

80’ Nahuel Molina (Argentina) attempts to slip a pass through to a teammate inside the box, but Cape Verde defend it well and clear for a corner under pressure.

74’ The referee stops play for a cooling break as both teams take a brief pause in the intense second half.

72’ Lionel Messi (Argentina) steps up again from a free kick outside the box and curls a superb effort towards the top right corner, but Vozinha produces another outstanding save to deny him.

71’ Deroy Duarte (Cape Verde) is penalised for a foul after bringing down his opponent. Argentina are awarded a free kick in a dangerous position.

67’ BIG CHANCE! Enzo Fernandez (Argentina) connects with a powerful first-time volley inside the box but sends his effort well wide of the right post.

64’ Substitution for Argentina as Lionel Scaloni brings on Nicolas Gonzalez in place of Thiago Almada.

63’ Lionel Messi (Argentina) is picked out unmarked inside the box but his placed effort towards the middle of the goal is brilliantly saved by Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.

59’ GOAL! Cape Verde draw level as Deroy Duarte finishes with real composure. Ryan Mendes slips a simple square pass into his path inside the box and Duarte lashes the ball into the bottom left corner. Argentina 1-1 Cape Verde.

58’ Cristian Gabriel Romero (Argentina) goes into a tackle and is penalised by Drew Fischer. Cape Verde are awarded a free kick and will look to deliver into the area.

54’ Cape Verde come close again as Deroy Duarte finds space just outside the box, reacts quickest to a rebound and forces a brilliant reflex save from Emiliano Martinez, who dives low to his right to keep Argentina ahead.

52’ Lionel Messi (Argentina) looks to release Nahuel Molina with a long pass, but overhits his attempt and the ball runs through for a Cape Verde goal kick.

49’ Cape Verde’s corner comes to nothing as Argentina deal with the delivery comfortably and clear their lines.

48’ Sidny Lopes Cabral (Cape Verde) floats in a dangerous cross from deep, but the Argentina defence reacts quickly to clear the ball out for a corner.

47’ Nuno Da Costa (Cape Verde) looks to latch onto a low pass inside the box, but a well-timed intervention from the Argentina defence snuffs out the danger.

46’ The second half gets underway with both sides returning to the pitch for the restart.

45+5’ The referee Drew Fischer blows the whistle to bring an entertaining first half to an end with Argentina leading Cape Verde 1-0 thanks to Lionel Messi’s superb strike.

45+1’ The fourth official indicates that four minutes of added time will be played at the end of the first half.

45’ Enzo Fernandez (Argentina) strikes from the edge of the penalty area after receiving a precise pass, but Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha reacts brilliantly to produce a stunning save low to his right.

40’ Deroy Duarte (Cape Verde) is penalised for holding his opponent as referee Drew Fischer awards a free kick to Argentina.

32’ Nahuel Molina (Argentina) goes in with a rough challenge and is penalised by Drew Fischer. Cape Verde are awarded a free kick, although it is too far out for a direct effort on goal.

29’ GOAL! Lionel Messi gives Argentina the lead with a brilliant finish after racing onto a superb lofted pass from Lisandro Martinez before smashing his shot into the roof of the net. Argentina 1-0 Cape Verde.

28’ Play resumes after the cooling break as both teams return to the pitch.

25’ The referee pauses the match for a cooling break with temperatures remaining high in Florida.

25’ Rodrigo de Paul (Argentina) clips a dangerous lofted ball into the penalty area, but the Cape Verde defence reacts well to intercept before the danger develops further.

18’ Lionel Messi steps up to take a free kick for Argentina and curls a dangerous effort towards the left post, but the Cape Verde goalkeeper produces an excellent save to deny him.

14’ Lionel Messi (Argentina) creates space brilliantly inside the penalty area and gets his shot away, but the effort drifts narrowly wide of the right post in a huge missed opportunity for the defending champions.

10’ Cristian Gabriel Romero (Argentina) is penalised for pulling the shirt of an opponent after referee Drew Fischer spots the infringement. Cape Verde are awarded a free kick in a promising position.

5’ Sidny Lopes Cabral (Cape Verde) quickly restarts play from a free kick with a short pass as the African side look to build momentum.

3’ Argentina enjoy an early spell of possession, exchanging quick short passes as they attempt to break down the Cape Verde defence.

1’ The first half gets underway after Cape Verde kick off the match.

Referee Drew Fischer is in charge of today’s World Cup 2026 Round of 32 encounter.

Argentina have won each of their previous seven World Cup matches against African opposition, but Cape Verde will hope to produce another memorable chapter in African football history.

This will be the first-ever meeting between Argentina and Cape Verde.

First-ever meeting between both nations

Cape Verde are currently the lowest-ranked side remaining in the tournament, but their disciplined defensive display against Spain earlier in the competition has given the African side belief that another upset may be possible.

They are also the first debut nation to reach the knockout stages since Slovakia in 2010 and the first African country to achieve the feat since Ghana in 2006.

Although they drew all three group matches, Cape Verde still made history by becoming the first nation since Chile in 1998 to advance from a World Cup group without winning a game.

The Blue Sharks stunned many observers by progressing unbeaten from a difficult group containing Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

Cape Verde have been one of the biggest stories of the tournament so far.

Cape Verde emerging as Africa’s surprise package

However, history suggests Argentina may still face a difficult challenge despite their status as favourites. Seven of their last 13 World Cup knockout matches have gone to extra time, while no nation has played more extra-time matches in World Cup history than Argentina with 11.

La Albiceleste have conceded only twice during that run and became just the third reigning champions this century to successfully progress into the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Argentina have looked dominant in their defence of the World Cup crown. A 3-1 victory over Jordan completed a perfect group-stage campaign for Lionel Scaloni’s side, who won all three matches while extending their winning streak to ten games.

Argentina looking strong in title defence

The encounter brings together two unbeaten nations from the group stage, although Argentina arrive as overwhelming favourites while Cape Verde carry the hopes of African football supporters dreaming of another famous upset on the global stage.

Cape Verde continue their remarkable 2026 FIFA World Cup journey with a high-profile Round of 32 clash against defending champions Argentina in Florida.

Welcome to Africasoccer’s live blog of the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash between Argentina and Cape Verde.

Tags: Argentina Cape Verde World Cup 2026
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