Argentina survived a serious Cape Verde scare to advance at the 2026 World Cup, winning 3-2 after extra time in Miami as Lionel Messi added another defining moment to his extraordinary tournament career.

FIFA’s match coverage said Cape Verde twice fought back after Argentina had taken the lead, before the defending champions finally found a way through in extra time. The result ended Cape Verde’s run but reinforced the impression that the tournament’s smaller nations are no longer easy opponents on the biggest stage.

Messi’s role was again decisive. Even deep into the late stages of his career, he remains Argentina’s reference point in pressure moments, whether through finishing, passing or set-piece delivery. The lead packet’s claim that he had reached a 20th World Cup goal should be checked directly against FIFA’s official statistics page before publication, but FIFA’s match report confirms Argentina’s 3-2 extra-time win and Messi’s central involvement.

For Argentina, the performance raised familiar questions as well as celebrations. The champions advanced, but they were stretched by a disciplined and ambitious Cape Verde side that refused to collapse after falling behind. Knockout football often rewards survival as much as fluency, and Argentina now move forward with both warning and momentum.

For Cape Verde, defeat does not erase the achievement. Their ability to push Argentina into extra time will stand as one of the tournament’s notable stories, and a sign of the widening competitive field in international football.