August 21, 2026 11:06 am (IST)

Make this your homepage

Sports News

Jadavpur erupts again: ABVP-SFI clash, police barricades shattered as fresh tension grips area | Ex-Congress MP and 1984 anti-Sikh riots convict Sajjan Kumar dies while serving life sentence | India hits back at Pakistan: Structures outside High Commission demolished in Delhi | ‘Don’t daydream about my bedroom’: Kangana Ranaut fires back at Ramdev over ‘Gen Z’ row | Jadavpur University erupts at midnight: ABVP-Left student groups clash over meeting, BJP-CPI(M) leaders trade barbs | Vijay govt calls for action to stop students, youth from joining CJP, Left protests | Kolkata hotel fire kills 9: Bengal Minister Agnimitra Paul targets ex-TMC govt, CESC over licences | Kolkata hotel fire: 9 Bangladeshi nationals, including women and a child, die in massive blaze | Tarun Tejpal faces life term? Goa govt moves Supreme Court after 2013 rape conviction | Supreme Court rejects ‘less painful’ death penalty plea, but leaves door open for future change

FIFA

Lionel Messi during Argentina-Cape Verde match. Photo: FIFA World Cup/X

Messi's Argentina survive Cape Verde scare in World Cup thriller, enter Round of 16

India Blooms News Service | @indiablooms | Jul 04, 2026, at 10:44 am

Miami/IBNS: Argentina survived a major scare from Cape Verde to secure a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory and book their place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Lionel Messi put the defending champions ahead in the 29th minute with a trademark finish.

This angle of Messi’s goal is insane ! pic.twitter.com/LM7Bwr7FJG
— ️ (@Priceless_MCI) July 3, 2026

However, World Cup debutants Cape Verde drew level just before the hour mark through Deroy Duarte, forcing the contest into extra time.

Argentina restored their lead in the 92nd minute through Lisandro Martínez, but Sidny Cabral equalised again in the 103rd minute to keep Cape Verde's hopes alive.

Oh my days, Deroy Duarte of Cape Verde stuns the World Champions!

The whole world wants Cape Verde to win! Believe me, if it goes to penalties, then Vozinha is the hero! #CaboVerde #Argentina pic.twitter.com/Etw4qhvawe
— The Final Whistle (@Rufus_45) July 3, 2026

The decisive moment came in the 111th minute when a Messi corner resulted in an own goal by Diney Borges, sealing a hard-fought 3-2 win for the reigning world champions.

Despite the defeat, Cape Verde won widespread praise for pushing Argentina to the limit with a fearless display.

Cabo Verde what a goal!!!! pic.twitter.com/DZKMK422Pb
— RODRYGO (@NotRodrygo) July 4, 2026

Messi also reached another milestone by scoring his 20th FIFA World Cup goal, extending his record tally in the competition.

Argentina will now face Egypt in the Round of 16.

#Argentina vs Cape Verde # Argentina Cape Verde World Cup # Lionel Messi # Messi World Cup # FIFA World Cup 2026 # Argentina Round of 16 # Cape Verde FIFA World Cup # Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde # Lisandro Martinez # Deroy Duarte # Sidny Cabral # Diney Borges own goal # Argentina football # World Cup knockout stage # Egypt vs Argentina

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.