Reigning world champions Argentina were pushed to their absolute limits before edging Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in a pulsating Round of 32 clash at Miami Stadium on Friday, securing a place in the last 16 against Egypt in Atlanta next Tuesday. The match, played in front of 64,478 spectators in oppressive heat and humidity, came within minutes of producing one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.

Lionel Messi, playing in Miami where he is based with Inter Miami, broke the deadlock in the 29th minute — his seventh goal of the tournament and his 20th across six World Cup editions — after latching onto a lofted ball and finishing with characteristic precision. Cape Verde, competing in their first-ever World Cup, refused to be intimidated. Dutch-born midfielder Deroy Duarte equalised just before the hour mark, converting a precise pass from captain Ryan Mendes. When Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina's lead with a powerful strike in the opening minutes of extra time, it seemed the defending champions had finally broken Cape Verde's resolve. They had not. Left back Sidny Lopes Cabral curled a stunning long-range effort into the top corner in the 103rd minute to level the scores at 2-2, silencing the largely Argentine crowd and threatening the unthinkable. The match was only settled when Cristian Romero's header deflected off Cape Verde centre-back Diney Borges and into his own net in the 111th minute, with Messi having delivered the corner that created the chance. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez then produced a crucial late save from a Lopes Cabral free kick to preserve the lead.

Cape Verde — an island archipelago nation of just over 500,000 people off the west coast of Africa, ranked 67th in the world — had already drawn with Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia in the group stage, hinting at their defensive organisation and tactical discipline. Against Argentina, they went further, matching the champions physically and technically for the full 120 minutes, with goalkeeper Vozinha outstanding throughout. Their starting eleven also carried a notable distinction: the oldest average age of any side in a World Cup knockout fixture in tournament history, at 31 years and 197 days. Coach Pedro Brito, known as Bubista, was visibly emotional after the defeat. "The feeling in the dressing room is one of sadness," he said. "We got so close. They did it with bravery and never did we lose our identity."

For Argentina, the victory came at a cost. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, marking his 100th match in charge, admitted the match had left the deepest mark of his tenure. "Of the 100, this one has surely left the biggest mark on me," he said. "It would have been crazy to have lost." Analysts and observers noted that Argentina's reliance on Messi remained a structural concern — the 39-year-old was involved in virtually every dangerous moment, and his teammates struggled to create chances independently when Cape Verde's pressing neutralised his influence. Cape Verde leave the tournament without a victory but having firmly established themselves on world football's map, their first World Cup a testament to organisation, resilience, and a distinct footballing identity.