Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina against Cape Verde in their Round of 32 match in Miami, extending his remarkable streak to eight consecutive World Cup games with a goal. The "sensational" finish gave Argentina an early advantage in the knockout stage encounter.
The goal marked another significant moment in Messi's World Cup legacy as he continues to add to his tournament scoring record. This match represented Argentina's first knockout round game of the 2026 World Cup, which is being hosted in part by the United States.
Cape Verde, competing in their World Cup debut, responded to Argentina's early pressure with a stunning equalizer from Deroy Duarte. The goal shocked the favored Argentine side and drew the underdogs level in the high-stakes knockout match, demonstrating that Cape Verde could compete despite their lack of World Cup experience.
Argentina regained the lead when Lisandro Martinez scored to restore their advantage. The back-and-forth nature of the contest showed Cape Verde's determination to challenge one of the tournament's stronger teams in their first World Cup appearance.
The victory advanced Argentina through to the next round. Their potential opponent could be Egypt, who secured their spot in the Round of 16 by defeating Australia in a penalty shootout. The Egyptian victory was historic, marking their first-ever World Cup knockout round win. Mohamed Salah converted a Panenka penalty during the shootout, and the team's manager Hossam Hassan dedicated the victory to the Palestinian people following the match.
Messi played in his 30th World Cup match during this fixture, extending his record as the men's player with the most World Cup appearances in their career. He started alongside Lautaro Martinez in attack, with Julian Alvarez dropping to the bench for this encounter.
For Cape Verde, the team made one key lineup adjustment, with midfielder Telmo Arcanjo sitting out due to a leg injury. Sidny Lopes Cabral returned from suspension to start at left-back.
The tournament has been a remarkable stage for Messi to continue his legacy. His eight-game scoring streak and his role as Argentina's leader have been central to his team's progression through the competition. As Argentina prepares for potential matchups in the later rounds, Messi's continued performance will likely be crucial to their tournament ambitions.
The match underscored how the 2026 World Cup has provided competitive opportunities for traditionally less-prominent football nations, with Cape Verde pushing one of the tournament favorites in their first appearance on this stage.