Argentina defeat Cape Verde 3-2 in a World Cup match that moves into extra time, with Cape Verde pushing the reigning champions close to the biggest upset of the tournament. Lionel Messi opens the scoring for Argentina, using a composed first touch and a close-range finish to put his team ahead. Cape Verde respond with goals of their own, and their goalkeeper Vozinha is repeatedly highlighted for standout performances, including keeping the tie alive despite sustained pressure from Argentina. The match features multiple momentum shifts, with Argentina unable to pull clear until late. The game remains tense deep into extra time as Cape Verde continue to threaten the result. Ultimately, Argentina find a winner in extra time, securing the win and progression while preventing what several reports describe as a historic shock. Across coverage, Messi’s influence is noted alongside Cape Verde’s standout spell against a top opponent, as well as the rarity of such a competitive showing for a small team with a dispersed diaspora. Cape Verde’s run ends with the loss, but the performance is widely described as a memorable one.