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Argentina survives a scare against Debutant Cape Verder in FIFA WC
Argentina survived a monumental scare from FIFA World Cup debutants Cape Verde, battling to a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory in their Round of 32 clash on Saturday IST to keep their title defence alive and set up a last-16 meeting with Egypt.
The defending champions were stretched to the limit by the fearless Blue Sharks, who twice came from behind and came within minutes of forcing a penalty shootout in one of the most gripping matches of the tournament.
Lionel Messi handed Argentina the lead in the 29th minute with a clinical finish after the Albiceleste dominated the early exchanges. However, Cape Verde refused to be overawed and struck back in the 59th minute through Deroy Duarte, who capitalised on one of the few openings created by his side.
Neither team could find a winner in regulation time, sending the contest into extra time.
Argentina regained the advantage almost immediately after the restart when Lisandro Martinez headed home in the 92nd minute, seemingly putting the holders back in control.
But Cape Verde scripted another stunning comeback in the 103rd minute. Sidny Lopes Cabral collected the ball on the left, cut inside and unleashed a magnificent curling strike into the top corner beyond Emiliano Martinez, bringing the scores level at 2-2 and leaving Argentina shell-shocked.
With penalties fast approaching, Argentina finally found the breakthrough in the 111th minute. Messi’s corner from the left was met by Cristian Romero’s glancing header, which took a decisive deflection off defender Diney Borges before beating goalkeeper Vozinha, the own goal proving to be the match-winner.
Cape Verde mounted one final assault in the closing stages, but Martinez came to Argentina’s rescue with a string of vital saves, including a brilliant stop to deny Cabral from a free-kick and another point-blank intervention to keep out substitute Gilson Benchimol.
The final whistle sparked relief among the Argentine players after they had been pushed harder than at any stage of their World Cup campaign.
Cape Verde bowed out with heads held high after producing a fearless performance against the reigning champions. The tournament debutants matched Argentina’s intensity throughout the contest and twice erased deficits, with Cabral’s spectacular equaliser likely to be remembered as one of the finest goals of the tournament.
Argentina, meanwhile, remain on course to defend the title they won in 2022, though Saturday’s dramatic escape served as a reminder that tougher challenges lie ahead. Lionel Scaloni’s side will next face Egypt in the Round of 16, while Cape Verde leave the tournament having earned admiration for one of the most memorable underdog campaigns in recent World Cup history.
The defending champions were stretched to the limit by the fearless Blue Sharks, who twice came from behind and came within minutes of forcing a penalty shootout in one of the most gripping matches of the tournament.
Lionel Messi handed Argentina the lead in the 29th minute with a clinical finish after the Albiceleste dominated the early exchanges. However, Cape Verde refused to be overawed and struck back in the 59th minute through Deroy Duarte, who capitalised on one of the few openings created by his side.
Neither team could find a winner in regulation time, sending the contest into extra time.
Argentina regained the advantage almost immediately after the restart when Lisandro Martinez headed home in the 92nd minute, seemingly putting the holders back in control.
With penalties fast approaching, Argentina finally found the breakthrough in the 111th minute. Messi’s corner from the left was met by Cristian Romero’s glancing header, which took a decisive deflection off defender Diney Borges before beating goalkeeper Vozinha, the own goal proving to be the match-winner.
Cape Verde mounted one final assault in the closing stages, but Martinez came to Argentina’s rescue with a string of vital saves, including a brilliant stop to deny Cabral from a free-kick and another point-blank intervention to keep out substitute Gilson Benchimol.
The final whistle sparked relief among the Argentine players after they had been pushed harder than at any stage of their World Cup campaign.
Cape Verde bowed out with heads held high after producing a fearless performance against the reigning champions. The tournament debutants matched Argentina’s intensity throughout the contest and twice erased deficits, with Cabral’s spectacular equaliser likely to be remembered as one of the finest goals of the tournament.
Argentina, meanwhile, remain on course to defend the title they won in 2022, though Saturday’s dramatic escape served as a reminder that tougher challenges lie ahead. Lionel Scaloni’s side will next face Egypt in the Round of 16, while Cape Verde leave the tournament having earned admiration for one of the most memorable underdog campaigns in recent World Cup history.
