Champions Survive Ultimate Scare in 5-Goal Thriller
Defending world champions Argentina narrowly avoided one of the greatest upsets in football history, surviving a breathless 3-2 extra-time victory over debutants Cape Verde in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 in Miami.
The tournament underdogs refused to buckle, responding with astonishing equalizers each time the giants took the lead. Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a clinical roofed finish—his 7th goal of the tournament. However, Cape Verde's Deroy Duarte stunned the holders with a 59th-minute equalizer.
When Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina's lead early in extra time, the Blue Sharks fought right back via a sensational, curling strike from Sidny Lopes Cabral in the 103rd minute. Backed by a heroic 10-save performance from 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, Cape Verde pushed the champions to their absolute limits.
Ultimately, heartbreak sealed the tie in the 111th minute when a powerful Cristian Romero header deflected off Cape Verde's Diney Borges for an own goal. While the African nation exits with their heads held high after a legendary run, Argentina breathes a sigh of relief and marches on to face Egypt in the Round of 16.
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Defending world champions Argentina narrowly avoided one of the greatest upsets in football history, surviving a breathless 3-2 extra-time victory over debutants Cape Verde in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 in Miami.
The tournament underdogs refused to buckle, responding with astonishing equalizers each time the giants took the lead. Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a clinical roofed finish—his 7th goal of the tournament. However, Cape Verde's Deroy Duarte stunned the holders with a 59th-minute equalizer.
When Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina's lead early in extra time, the Blue Sharks fought right back via a sensational, curling strike from Sidny Lopes Cabral in the 103rd minute. Backed by a heroic 10-save performance from 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, Cape Verde pushed the champions to their absolute limits.
Ultimately, heartbreak sealed the tie in the 111th minute when a powerful Cristian Romero header deflected off Cape Verde's Diney Borges for an own goal. While the African nation exits with their heads held high after a legendary run, Argentina breathes a sigh of relief and marches on to face Egypt in the Round of 16.
#BinancePickAndWin