Argentina advance to the World Cup Round of 16 after surviving a late scare against Cape Verde, winning 3-2 in a tightly contested match. Lionel Messi opens the scoring for Argentina with his 20th World Cup goal, extending his tally in the tournament. Despite Argentina taking the lead, Cape Verde forces a tense finish, and the match does not end in normal time. The sides remain locked after regulation before Argentina secure the victory in extra time. After overcoming Cape Verde, Argentina reach the last 16 stage of the competition. The result reflects both Argentina’s attacking impact—highlighted by Messi’s goal—and Cape Verde’s ability to challenge the matchup until the end. Multiple reports describe the win as a survival of a “scare,” emphasizing that Argentina’s advancement is decided only after extended play. With the victory, Argentina qualify for the knockout phase, carrying momentum from Messi’s milestone goal into their next fixture.