Lionel Messi and Argentina are through to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, but Cape Verde captured the world’s heart even in defeat to the reigning, defending world champions in Miami on Friday.
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The tiny island nation of just over half-a-million people fought back from a goal down not once, but twice, and looked every bit Argentina’s equals as the game wore on. The favorites faded in the second half and extra-time, only for Cape Verde to grow stronger, physically and in belief, the longer they played.
Lionel Messi scored his 7th goal this tournament in the 29th minute, but Cape Verde shocked everyone but themselves in the 59th minutes as Deroy Duarte slammed home past Emiliano Martinez. Lisandro Martinez put Argentina back ahead after just two minutes of extra-time, but Sidny Lopes Cabral responded with a stunning strike from the (wide) edge of the penalty area in the 103rd minute. Eight minutes later, Messi placed a corner kick on Cristian Romero’s head, the ball deflected off defender Diney Borges’ hand and landed out of reach of goalkeeper Vozinha, who was otherwise brilliant and made eight saves.
Below are all of the live updates you need from Argentina vs Cape Verde in Miami, with analysis, videos, reaction and more.
Argentina vs Cape Verde final score: 3-2
Goalscorers: Lionel Messi (29'), Deroy Duarte (59'), Lisandro Martinez (92'), Sidny Lopes Cabral (103'), Cristian Romero (111')
The World bloody Cup.
Long live the Blue Sharks. Thank you oh so much, Cape Verde, for what you brought to this tournament; for the way you made us all hop on board and root for you deep down inside; for daring to believe and introducing yourselves to us on the world’s biggest stage. We’ll be seeing you again soon, I’m certain of it.
Argentina are back in front, again, and it’s Cristian Romero they have to thank. His first international goal in over two years, and there was nothing Vozinha could do about this one. Defender Diney Borges has since been charged with the own goal after Romero’s header glanced off his hand.
¡¡¡ARGENTINAAAA OTRA VEZ ARRIBA!!! ¡¡¡EL ‘CUTI’ ROMERO APARECIÓ!!!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 4, 2026
El defensa de Tottenham se levanta en un tiro de esquina tras un centro de Messi y se vuelven a poner arriba sobre Cabo Verde. pic.twitter.com/8vnSsY8wSp
Sidny Lopes Cabral has scored one of the most stunning goals in World Cup history, and we are level once against in South Florida. The stadium is stunned, the Argentine players and fans are stunned, the whole world’s population in stunned.
¡¡¡CIERREN EL ESTADIO!!! ¡¡¡EL GOL DE LA COPA DEL MUNDO!!! ¡¡¡GOLAZO DE CABO VERDE!!!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 4, 2026
Sidny Lopes Cabral saca un TREMENDO DISPARO y hace un GOLAZAZAZO sobre Argentina.
Páez verlo una y otra vez: pic.twitter.com/gxaEHS4yHW
Lisandro Martinez got the assist on Messi’s goal in the first half, and now he’s on the scoresheet himself less than two minutes into extra-time. What a finish at the near post.
¡¡¡LISANDRO MARTÍNEZ!!! ¡¡¡ARGENTINA RECUPERA LA VENTAJA!!!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 4, 2026
La Albiceleste marca con un zurdazo en pelota parada y ya vencen 2-1 a Cabo Verde en tiempo extra. pic.twitter.com/LgjFuiTK3k
Whatever the final outcome, Cape Verde have already pulled off one of the greatest World Cup upsets of all time — ranked 67th in the world, against the world no. 1, defending champions — stifling Messi and Argentina when the entire world expected a blowout.
The referee blew the whistle while Vozinha was still setting his wall and Messi waved that wand of a left foot, and it was bound for the top corner until Vozinha scrambled from one post to the other and palmed it away.
¡OTRA EXTRAORDINARIA ATAJADA DE VOZINHA SOBRE MESSI! 😱🧤
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 3, 2026
Leo estuvo muy cerca de hacer un GOLAZO de tiro libre, el portero de Cabo Verde lo evita ‼️
📺 Sigue toda la cobertura de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026 por Telemundo y Peacock #MundialTelemundo #FIFAWorldCup #Somos26… pic.twitter.com/C3gCaHFsu4
Cape Verde have been causing one or two concerns for Emiliano Martinez and Argentina’s goal, and now they’re level. Deroy Duarte took the pass from Ryan Mendes, turned and fired inside the far post. His first international goal.
¡¡¡GOL HISTÓRICO!!! ¡¡¡CABO VERDE LE MARCA GOL A ARGENTINA!!!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 3, 2026
Deroy Duarte vence al ‘Dibu’ Martínez y marca una anotación inesperada… ¡Se empató el juego! pic.twitter.com/qeBgYP1udp
From absolutely nothing, Messi and Argentina are on the board. Lisandro Martinez played a brilliant ball over the top, found Messi making a back-shoulder run into the right channel. His first touch was exquisite, and the next one wasn’t bad either — over Vozinha and into the roof of the net.
That’s 20 career World Cup goals, eight straight World Cup games with a goal (a record) and five straight in the knockout rounds dating back to 2022.
¡¡¡LIONEL ANDRÉS MESSI!!! ¡¡¡GOLAZO!!! ¡¡¡EL DE SIEMPRE HACIENDO LO DE SIEMPRE!!!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 3, 2026
Leo baja la pelota y define de zurda sobre la salida de Vozinha, Argentina ya le gana 1-0 a Cabo Verde.
20 goles en Mundiales. pic.twitter.com/0tuIe9XuXS
Argentina have attempted two shots (both by Messi), but Cape Verde have come through the first quarter 25 minutes unscathed. Argentina are in control, of course, but the Blue Sharks have looked a slight threat on counter-attacks with long balls into the channels.
Vozinha - Moreira, Lopes, Borges, S. Cabral - Pina, L. Duarte, D. Duarte - Mendes, J. Cabral, Da Costa
E. Martinez - Molina, Romero, L. Martinez, Medina - De Paul, Almada, Fernandez, Mac Allister - Messi, L. Martinez
How to watch Argentina vs Cape Verde live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 6 pm ET Friday, July 3
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium — Miami
TV Channel: Telemundo
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock, en Espanol
