Messi Powers Argentina Past Cape Verde

Argentina clinches 3‑2 victory

Argentina advanced from the Round of 32 with a dramatic 3‑2 win over Cape Verde after extra‑time heroics. Lionel Messi opened the scoring early, converting his 20th career World Cup goal, and later set up Sidny Lopes Cabral’s decisive header. Cape Verde responded with Deroy Duarte’s equalizer, forcing the match into extra time before Argentina held on. The result sends Argentina into the Round of 16 where they will face Egypt next.

Messi’s statistical highlights

Messi delivered a multi‑facet performance that underscores his elite status on the global stage. He became the first player to reach 30 World Cup appearances, marking a historic milestone. His early strike gave him seven goals in the 2026 tournament and marked his eighth straight match with a goal. Over the course of the game Messi registered four shots on target and supplied the corner kick that Cabral converted. Although he did not officially register an assist for the winning header, his play was central to Argentina’s offensive success.

• 20th career World Cup goal (career tally)
• 7 goals in 2026 World Cup (to date)
• 8 consecutive World Cup matches with a goal
• 30 appearances – first player to reach this mark
• 4 shots on target vs. Cape Verde

Match timeline and crucial moments

The action unfolded with Messi ready from the kick off at 6:00 p.m. ET. By 6:15 p.m. he had already become the first player to log 30 World Cup appearances. At 6:31 p.m. he opened the scoring, his seventh goal of the tournament, putting Argentina ahead 1‑0. Cape Verde fought back, and Deroy Duarte equalized at 7:35 p.m., shaking the Argentine defense. A missed free kick by Messi at 8:00 p.m. left the door open, but his corner at 8:58 p.m. found Cabral for the winning header that made it 3‑2. The game stretched into extra time as Vozinha produced several key saves.

How to watch the game

The match was broadcast nationwide on Fox, with streaming available on Fox One and the Fox Sports app/ website. Fans also had the option to stream the game on fubo, which offered a free trial for new subscribers. This platform includes ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and more than 100 live TV channels without a traditional cable package. The free trial allowed viewers to test the service before committing to a paid plan.

Looking ahead: Argentina’s knockout route

After surviving Cape Verde, Argentina will take on Egypt in the Round of 16. The group stage gave Argentina a solid foundation, with wins over Algeria (3‑0), Austria (2‑0) and Jordan (3‑1). Those victories occurred at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City and AT&T Stadium in Dallas, showcasing the team’s versatility across venues. Advancing past Egypt will be a further test as the tournament intensifies.