Argentina vs Cape Verde LIVE Score, FIFA World Cup Round of 32 Updates: Lisandro Martínez struck early in the additional period to make it 2-1 for Argentina, breaking Cape Verde hearts just as the underdogs looked poised to take the world champions the distance.
Martínez’s decisive strike came right at the start of the 30-minute extra time, completely shifting the narrative after a dramatic 90 minutes had ended with Cape Verde pulling off the unthinkable. The Blue Sharks had held the mighty Argentina to a 1-1 draw in normal time, sending this captivating Round of 32 clash into an additional half-hour. Deroy Duarte sent the African underdogs’ fans into absolute delirium with an exceptional second-half finish. It was no less than Cape Verde deserved for their sheer bravery, ensuring that this historic World Cup Cinderella story pushed into extra time. Earlier, Lionel Messi had given LaAlbiceleste a well-deserved lead right after the first-half hydration break. The Argentina number 10 controlled the ball exceptionally well inside the penalty area after Lisandro Martínez picked him out with a superb, lofted pass from deep, before clinically lifting his finish past Vozinha to break the deadlock. That opening goal marked a monumental milestone for the legendary forward, making him the first player in football history to reach 20 career World Cup goals. In doing so, Messi also became the first player ever to score seven or more goals in two separate editions of the tournament, having previously achieved the feat during Argentina’s triumphant Qatar 2022 campaign.