By Desmond Nleya
DUBAI-Lionel Messi was once again on target as defending champions Argentina national football team survived a spirited challenge from World Cup debutants Cape Verde national football team, edging a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory to secure a place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
In one of the tournament’s most thrilling encounters, Argentina were pushed to the brink by a fearless Cape Verde side that twice fought back from behind before an unfortunate extra-time own goal ended their historic run.
Playing before a packed crowd of 64,478 at Miami Stadium on Friday, Argentina looked in control when captain Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute. Lisandro Martinez lifted a precise ball over the Cape Verde defence, allowing Messi to control brilliantly with the outside of his left foot before rifling an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net. The goal was his seventh of the tournament and his 20th across six World Cup appearances.
Cape Verde refused to be intimidated and deservedly drew level just before the hour mark. Captain Ryan Mendes surged down the right wing before delivering a perfect pass into the penalty area, where Deroy Duarte calmly controlled the ball and fired past Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Argentina increased the pressure but found Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha in outstanding form. He denied Messi in a one-on-one situation before producing another fine save to tip away one of the Argentine captain’s trademark free kicks.
The deadlock remained until extra time, when Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina’s lead in the 92nd minute with a thunderous strike into the top corner after Cape Verde failed to clear their lines.
Yet the African underdogs refused to surrender. Left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral produced one of the goals of the tournament in the 103rd minute, curling a magnificent effort beyond Emiliano Martinez to level the contest at 2-2 and reignite hopes of one of the greatest World Cup upsets.
With penalties looming, Argentina finally found the decisive breakthrough in the 111th minute. Messi swung in a dangerous corner, Cristian Romero’s header struck the arm of Cape Verde defender Diney Borges and crossed the line for an unfortunate own goal that sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Cape Verde nearly forced another equaliser in the closing minutes, but Emiliano Martinez produced an excellent save to deny Lopes Cabral’s powerful free kick and preserve Argentina’s narrow advantage.
Despite defeat, Cape Verde won widespread admiration with another disciplined and courageous display. Ranked 67th in the world and making their first-ever World Cup appearance, the Blue Sharks had already impressed by holding Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws during the group stage.
Their organised defence, composed passing and relentless determination frustrated the reigning world champions for long periods, with defender Kevin Pina delivering one of the standout individual performances of the match.
Argentina now advance to the Round of 16, where they will face Egypt in Atlanta next Tuesday.
For Cape Verde, the dream may be over, but their remarkable World Cup debut has captured the imagination of football fans around the world and firmly established the island nation as one of the tournament’s greatest success stories.
If you’d like, I can also rewrite it in a newspaper front-page style with a more dramatic, attention-grabbing lead.
