Argentina edged past Cape Verde in a thrilling World Cup last-32 match, winning 3-2 after extra time. The encounter, held at Miami Stadium, saw Lionel Messi make history by becoming the first player to appear in 30 World Cup matches, while also contributing to Argentina's victory.

Messi's Historic Opener

The match began with Messi showcasing his talent, scoring the opening goal in the 29th minute. He skillfully controlled a long pass from Lisandro Martinez and lifted the ball over Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha. However, Cape Verde, competing in their first World Cup, responded impressively. Deroy Duarte leveled the score with a well-placed shot into the bottom-left corner just before the hour mark, catching the defending champions off guard.

Extra Time Drama

As the match progressed into extra time, Argentina regained the lead just two minutes in. Lisandro Martinez found the net after connecting with a flick-on from Alexis Mac Allister during a corner taken by Messi. Yet, Cape Verde continued to fight back, with Sidny Cabral scoring a stunning equalizer in the 103rd minute, bending a shot into the top-right corner.

Ultimately, the decisive moment came when Cristian Romero's header, assisted by Messi's corner, deflected off Diney Borges into the net, securing Argentina's place in the last 16 against Egypt. Despite the loss, Cape Verde can take pride in their performance throughout the tournament, having made a memorable debut on the world stage.