Argentina needed extra time to see off a resilient Cape Verde side, winning 3-2 in a round-of-32 thriller at the Miami stadium to book their place in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The defending champions twice had to come from behind before finally putting the tie to bed deep into added time.

Lionel Messi broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, controlling a deep ball from Lisandro Martinez and finishing calmly past goalkeeper Vozinha — his eighth goal in as many appearances. He nearly doubled Argentina’s lead before the break but was denied by a sharp save.

Cape Verde grew into the game as it wore on and drew level when Deroy Duarte fired home after a swift passing move. Vozinha was outstanding throughout, making eight saves in total, including two off Messi free kicks, while his defence threw bodies on the line to force the match into extra time.

Argentina looked to have won it early in the additional 30 minutes when Lisandro Martinez met an Alexis Mac Allister corner and directed a header in off the underside of the crossbar. But Cape Verde refused to fold, with Sidny Cabral curling a stunning strike into the top corner to level things again.

It was Cristian Romero who finally settled the contest, turning home a deflected header from another Messi corner delivery to complete the comeback. Emiliano Martinez then produced two crucial late saves to preserve Argentina’s 3-2 win after 120 dramatic minutes. Argentina now turn their attention to Egypt in the round of 16, with that match set for June 7.