MIAMI: Defending champions Argentina survived a major scare to beat World Cup debutants Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a typically composed finish. Cape Verde responded after the break when midfielder Deroy Duarte leveled the match in the 59th minute.
The contest pushed into extra time, where defender Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina’s lead. Cape Verde struck back dramatically in the 103rd minute through a Sidny Cabral screamer. Defender Christian Romero salvaged the win minutes later with a deflected header.
Argentina now face Egypt. For Cape Verde, the smallest nation to ever reach the knockout rounds, pushing the reigning champions to the limit stands as a monumental achievement in the expanded 48-team tournament.