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Current champions Argentina have secured their spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, defeating Cape Verde 3-2 in a dramatic match, thanks to a superb performance by captain Lionel Messi.
Argentina played aggressive football from the start. In the 29th minute, Lionel Messi scored his 20th World Cup goal from a pass by Lisandro Martínez. With this goal, the Argentine captain also achieved the unique feat of scoring in eight consecutive World Cup matches.
However, Cape Verde, participating in the World Cup for the first time, did not give up easily. They equalized twice, posing a tough challenge for Argentina. Ultimately, Lionel Scaloni’s team secured a 3-2 victory with Lisandro Martínez’s winning goal in extra time after regulation.
As a result of this win, Argentina has advanced to the World Cup’s Round of 16. Their opponent there will be Egypt, who progressed to the next round by defeating Australia in a penalty shootout.
This victory further boosts Argentina’s confidence in their mission to retain the World Cup title. Meanwhile, despite a tremendous fight, Cape Verde had to exit the knockout stage. Their courageous performance throughout the match earned praise from football fans.