Tears, tears, and more tears in the Cape Verde camp. The players break down on the pitch, as do their family members in the stands, while neutrals around the world share in the emotion. After a heroic journey that will not be forgotten anytime soon, the African underdogs are finally undone by the narrowest of margins in extra time.

Cape Verde, you have left the grandest stage with everyone's respect!

THE FINAL WHISTLE IS BLOWN! Argentina have overcome a great Cape Verde defiance to secure a thrilling 3-2 win in extra-time. They qualify for FIFA World Cup Round of 16, where the Egypt challenge is awaiting them.

119' Cape Verde are throwing absolute everything at the world champions! Steven Moreira rises highest in a crowded penalty area to meet a swinging cross, glancing a powerful header from close range that looks bound for the bottom-left corner. But Emiliano Martínez shows unbelievable, lightning-fast reflexes, diving across his line to pull off a magnificent stop and claw the ball away! The ball goes out of play, and Cape Verde win yet another corner kick in this unrelenting, breathless finale.

116' Sidny Lopes Cabral steps up to the edge of the box and unleashes a ferocious, curling free kick aimed directly for the top right-hand corner. It looks destined to fly in, but Emiliano Martínez produces a breathtaking, acrobatic save to tip it over the crossbar. Absolute world-class goalkeeping to deny Cabral a second wondergoal. Cape Verde win a corner as they throw everything forward!

111' GOOOOAALLLLLL! Argentina have responded again, and it's Lionel Messi who turns provider to set up Christian Romero. Argentina have pulled 3-1 ahead, but they simply can't afford to let Cape Verde equalise again. There isn't a lot of time left. 

108' Desperate Lionel Messi steps up to take a long-range free kick but fails to deliver his usual quality, sending a disappointing, flat cross into the danger zone. The Cape Verdean defence reads it easily, clearing the ball away without breaking a sweat to snuff out the Argentine attack.

The second-half of the extra-time begins! We are only 15 minutes away from the penalty shootout. Will this game turn out to be one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history? Cape Verde certainly have earned everyone's respect!

105' Lionel Messi splits the defence to latch onto a pin-point pass, bearing down one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The Argentina captain looks to blast it home down the center, but Vozinha holds his nerve, staying perfectly alert to make a vital, comfortable save and deny the legend.

103' GOOOOAAAALLLLL!!! What is happening there? Cape Verde are refusing to give up and they have equalised with probably the goal of the tournament. The Blue Sharks sink their teeth into the world champions for the second time in this game. Sidny Lopes Cabral, take a bow!

99' Lionel Messi controls a pass in the penalty area and unleashes a powerful shot, but a defender throws himself in front of it. The loose ball breaks to Julian Alvarez, who reacts fastest to strike the rebound, only to see his effort blocked as well. The officials signal in unison: corner kick to Argentina.

93' GOOAAALLLL! Lisandro Martinez, who set up Lionel Messi's opener in the game, finds the back of the net himself this time. A brilliant strike by the Manchester United defender to put his team in lead. No chance for Vozinha!

90 8' 'There's no separating Argentina and Cape Verde in regulation time, we'll have to see what happens in the next 30 minutes the game heads into extra-time. Argentina would be frustrated to not get the job done in regulation time. 

90 4' Jamiro Monteiro lunges in recklessly to win the ball but only succeeds in clattering into Messi's legs. Referee Drew Fischer has a clear view of the challenge and blows his whistle immediately. It is a cynical tackle, and Argentina are awarded a free kick in a highly dangerous position. This is right in Lionel Messi territory.

Messi executes a low free-kick and it gets saved by Vozinha. Absolute drama!

90' Eight minutes of stoppage time added, and Argentina are pushing for the winner. They don't want the game to go into extra-time but Cape Verde are defending with as many men in their penalty box as they can. 

89' Lionel Messi's left-footed curler into the box lands on top of Mac Allister but the headed ball from his head hits the Cape Verde defender's chest and bit of arm. Argentina appeal or a VAR review over handball but the referee isn't interested. 

87' Alexis Mac Allister reacts sharpest to pounce on a loose rebound on the edge of the box. He strikes it cleanly first-time, but his effort is smothered by a wall of Cape Verde defenders throwing themselves in the way. The ball ricochets out behind, and Argentina win a corner as they continue to pile on the pressure. Lionel Messi's corner is cleared by Vozinha.

85' Leandro Paredes becomes the third change of the game by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni. He replaces Rodrigo de Paul. Enzo Fernandez is down, looking to stretch his legs. Seems like he is cramping. This game could go into extra time, and Argentina need their teams fit and well. Another change for Argentina, as Medina is replaced by Tagliafico.

81' Brilliant piece of last-ditch defending by Lopes for Cape Verde. He would be glad to put the ball behind for a corner, and not into his own goal. Argentian piling up pressure, with Julian Alvarez combining more and more with Messi. 

78' The play resumes with Cape Verde earning a free-kick, but it was absolutely poor. Kevin Lenini puts all his power behind the shot, but the effort goes well wide of the left post. It's nothing but a goal-kick. 

74' Julian Alvarez, the second-half substitute, accompanies Messi on the free-kick, but it's the Argentina No. 10 who takes it. His attempt prompts a fine save from Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha. The shot leads to a corner kick, but Argentina fail to make it count. Hydration break called.

71' Lionel Messi earns a free-kick just outside the penalty area. Cape Verde's Deroy Duarte fouls the Argentine No. 10. This is a big opportunity or Argentina to reclaim their lead.

69' Kevin Pina gets a booking, and he can have no complaints about Drew Fischer's decision. The referee handles the situation calmly, cooling down tempers after a heavy challenge. Lionel Messi steps up to take the resulting free kick from distance, looking to curl a trademark effort over the wall. However, he fails to get the required elevation, and the Cape Verde defensive wall stands firm to make a routine block.

64' A precise pass carves open the Cape Verde defence and finds Lionel Messi completely unmarked inside the penalty area. The Argentina captain composes himself and places a side-footed effort towards the centre of the goal, but Vozinha pulls off a sensational, last-ditch reflex save to deny him! An unbelievable stop from the 40-year-old goalkeeper to keep the Blue Sharks level.

59' GOOAAAALLLLL! What are we seeing here? Cape Verde have equalised against the mighty Argentina. Deroy Duarte with an exceptional goal, following a brilliant passing play from Cape Verde in and around Argentina's penalty box. The Cinderella story continues for Cape Verde.

57' Cristian Romero flies into a rash challenge, and referee Drew Fischer doesn't hesitate to blow his whistle. It's a free kick to Cape Verde in an advanced position. Placed well out wide, the Blue Sharks will almost certainly look to cross this one into the box rather than test Martínez directly.

54' Deroy Duarte with Cape Verde's first real goalscoring opportunity! Duarte reacts quickest to a loose rebound just outside the area, finding a pocket of space before unleashing a stinging first-time effort towards goal. The ball looks destined for the bottom right corner, but Emiliano Martínez showcases his world-class reflexes, diving at full stretch to pull off a fantastic stop and preserve Argentina's lead!

52' This has been quite a turnaround in the second half, with Cape Verde keeping possession a lot more than they did in the first 45 minutes. Argentina defending with excellent shape. Lionel Messi gains possession deep into his own box and unleashes an ambitious long pass. He does find the charging right-back Molina but the latter's control lets him down. 

48' Nuno da Costa is picked out by a sharp, low pass, but before he can turn or get a shot away, a defender lunges in clinically to steal the ball off his toes. Brilliant defending from the world champions. Sidny Lopes Cabral swings the ball into the danger zone, but the Argentine defence reacts quickly to clear the danger out of the penalty area. Cape Verde retain the pressure, however, as they win a corner.

The second half begins! Argentina haven't been exceptional in the first half, but Lionel Messi was, particularly with his goal. Can Messi and his men make it 2-0 or will Cape Verde bounce back in the second half? Let's find out. No changes made!

Lionel Messi has become the first player in the history of the World Cup to score 7 or more goals in two different editions of the World Cup. He did so in Qatar when Argentina won the World Cup. He has already done the same here.

What an exceptional pass it was from Lisandro Martinez. Then, Lionel Messi's control and execution to put the ball past Vozinha made the entire goal one of the most beautiful in this World Cup. This is how the strike looked from the stands:

Messi 's goal from the stand pic.twitter.com/dJzClVlOC6

— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) July 3, 2026

That's HALF TIME in the Round of 32 clash between Argentina and Cape Verde. Argentina are ahead, and they weren't close to making it 2-0, barring that one shot just minutes before the half-time whistle by Lautaro Martinez. It's not over yet, but do Cape Verde have what it takes to score against Argentina?

45' Lautaro Martinez with a fiery strike from just outside the penalty box but Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha gets down in time to keep the ball out. That was a brilliant opportunity for Argentina to go 2-0 up but Vozinha showed once again why he has been one of the most in-form goalkeepers in this World Cup. 4 Minutes of stoppage time added. 

40' A brilliant attacking move by Cape Verde, Ryan Mendes produces a nice cross, but the Argentina defence clears the danger. Deroy Duarte is then penalised by the referee for holding. This was a good chance for Cape Verde, but they didn't show the awareness needed.

34' Nahuel Molina catches his man with a heavy challenge, prompting referee Drew Fischer to blow his whistle and award Cape Verde a free kick. It is a welcome chance for the Blue Sharks to reset and flood the penalty area, though the set-piece is a bit too deep and wide for a direct shot on goal. The possession has overwhelmingly been in Argentina's favour so far!

29' GOOAAALLLLLL! Lionel Messi is SENSATIONAL. It's goal number 20 for Messi in World Cup history and 7th in this campaign. A brilliant control from Messi, who controls Lisandro Martinez's lofted pass extremely well, what a vision by the Manchester United man. Messi control the ball with the outside of his left foot and puts the ball past Vozinha, blasting the roo of the net. Simply EXCEPTIONAL!!!

24' Messi looks to gain control of a pass on the edge of the Cape Verde penalty box, but three defenders challenge him immediately to take the ball off. Messi hasn't looked comfortable at all in the first 20-25 minutes; credit to Cape Verde. The first hydration break is taken!

20' Messi's free-kick went straight to Vozinha as Argentina let a scoring-opportunity miss. Argentina right-back Molina then looked to catch Cape Verde defenders off guard and serve Messi an opportunity on a platter, but his pass was cut off by Vozinha. Argentina looking more and more dangerous!

17' CHANCE! Lionel Messi twists and turns his marker brilliantly inside the penalty area to find a yard of space, but the Argentina captain uncharacteristically drags his low strike just wide of the right-hand upright. A footballer of his calibre really should be hitting the target from there. The ball trickles behind for a Cape Verde goal kick, with the Blue Sharks escaping a major scare early on.

Argentina have a free-kick after Jovane Cabral's foul just outside the penalty box.

14' Cape Verde showing their defensive structure, determination, and coordination very well against Argentina. These are the traits that saw them qualify from the group stage unbeaten. Remember, even the European champions Spain couldn't score past them.

11' A poor through ball as Argentina right-back Molina launched a threatening run on the right flank from deep. But it could only be a goalkick. Neither team has gotten the hang of the conditions, the pace on the pitch, and the chemistry going at the moment. It's all been about a midfield battle in the first 10-11 minutes. 

8' Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha shows his skills on the ball as an Argentina player charges at him. He is looking incredibly calm even as he takes on Lionel Messi's Argentina, a team he has been rooting for as a fan. Messi is starting to get himself involved in the build-up a lot more!

5' Referee Drew Fischer has to stop the play for a foul by Rodrigo de Paul on a Cape Verde player early. The free-kick prompts a threatening ball into Argentina's penalty box, but it is dealt with efficiently by the defending champions. Cape Verde not willing to just defend deep but also test Argentina with their attacks. 

3' Argentina start off hoping to keep possession, but an awkward pass forced goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to come out of the penalty box and rescue the team a little bit. Lautaro Martinez with the first threatening run of the game for Argentina, but Cape Verde's defence is on the money. 

It's the 100th time that Lionel Scaloni is taking charge of Argentina today. He has a winning record of 72.73 with the national team. This is a historic day for Argentina and Scaloni and they would be keen to make it a memorable one on the pitch. We are underway in Miami!

Tears in the eyes of Cape Verde's players as their nation's national anthem is played for the first time in a World Cup knockout round. They are against the defending champions, the mighty Argentinians, who are led by none other than the GOAT, Lionel Messi. Cape Verde wants to continue the fairytale run, to continue their dream. But, it won't be as easy.

Lionel Messi and his men have arrived in the stadium tunnel, holding the hands of children who are witnessing history in the making. Cape Verde aren't the favourites, by any means, but they know what they have to do as they walk onto the ground. Both teams are unbeaten, but there's only one that can progress from here!

Argentina have shown time and again that they are built in a way to support Lionel Messi's strengths and nullify his weaknesses. Even as they arrive on the pitch in the build-up play, it looks like a group of men going to war, with their leader in the front. There's no ego, no clashes, no doubts in the players' minds when they arrive in the middle.

Leo Messi leads the team out to warmup ahead of game vs Cape Verde pic.twitter.com/2uALUJLH9s

— We Are Messi (@WeAreMessi) July 3, 2026

The winner of this knockout clash will book a ticket to Atlanta on Tuesday, 7 July, and will face Egypt in the Round of 16. The African side booked a spot in the next round after a penalty shootout win over Australia, as the scores had remained 1-1 in 120 minutes. 

Cape Verde's story is incredibly special, something that hasn't been seen in World Cups in a long time. They’re the first nation to progress from their World Cup group stage without securing a single victory since Chile in 1998. They are also the first nation, making their World Cup debut, to qualify for the knockout stages o the tournament since Slovakia in 2010. When it comes to African nations, they are the first ones to do so since Ghana in 2006.

Cape Verde might not be the strongest opponents Argentina are facing but Lionel Messi's men simply can't be complacent today. 7 of their last 13 World Cup knockout ties went to extra-time. Also, no team have seen more games go to extra-time than Argentina’s 11 in World Cup history.

Cape Verde XI vs Argentina: Cape Verde have announced their starting XI to take on Argentina. Vozinha starts in goal. Roberto Pico Lopes will be leading the backline. Look out for Jovane Cabral in attack!

Mundial 2026

16 avos de final

03 de Julho

Estadio de Miami

18h00 (21h00 CV)

Argentina Cabo Verde

https://t.co/UZCpdeWnj1

----- #FIFAWorldCup | #FIFAWorldCup2026 | #CaboVerde | #TubaroesAzuis | #WeAreCaboVerde pic.twitter.com/SVlODAhkWu

— Federacao Cabo-verdiana de Futebol (@fcfcomunica) July 3, 2026

Argentina XI vs Cape Verde: The regular starters are back for Argentina, as Lionel Scaloni announces the starting XI to face Cape Verde. Nahuel Molina and Cristian Romero are back in defence, despite injury worries. Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez up front, Julian Alvarez on the bench!

#FIFAWorldCup

Once inicial confirmado!

Asi formara #Argentina para el duelo ante #CaboVerde

Hoy juega Argentina y el corazon lo sabe pic.twitter.com/CiFPHVj4Df

— Seleccion Argentina (@Argentina) July 3, 2026

Argentina icon Lionel Messi is one goal away from becoming the first player in FIFA World Cup history to score 20 goals. He is already the top-scorer in tournament history, on 19, one ahead of France's Kylian Mbappe on 18.

It does not get more David versus Goliath than the match between Argentina and Cape Verde today. Argentina are the reigning World Cup champions and one of the strongest nations in the football world. Cape Verde are the smallest nation to ever qualify for the knockouts of a World Cup!

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash between Argentina and Cape Verde. We are live from Miami today, a city where Lionel Messi plays his club football. A classic David versus Goliath encounter today. Stay tuned to NDTV Sports for all the live updates from the match.