World Cup 2026 · 2026-07-03

Messi's 20th Seals It: Argentina Survive Cape Verde Scare in Extra Time to Reach the Last 16

Lionel Messi scored his 20th career World Cup goal and Cristian Romero headed the 112th-minute winner as Argentina came from level twice to beat Cape Verde 3-2 in an extraordinary Round of 32 encounter at Hard Rock Stadium.

On paper it looked routine. In reality, Argentina were twice pegged back by Cape Verde — the smallest nation in World Cup knockout history — and needed a Cristian Romero header in the second half of extra time to escape with a 3-2 win in Miami. The reigning champions advance to the Round of 16 to face Egypt, but they arrived there shaken, roared at, and genuinely frightened by a Blue Sharks side that refused to accept the script.

Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, a composed left-footed finish after Lisandro Martínez played him clear — his 20th career World Cup goal, the all-time record for any player. Cape Verde levelled through Deroy Duarte. Martínez restored Argentina's lead from a corner before Sidny Lopes Cabral curled a stunning effort from the edge of the box into the top corner in the second period of extra time, making it 2-2 and sending Argentina's bench into near-panic.

Cristian Romero delivered the decisive moment. Messi won a corner and whipped in the delivery; Romero rose at the back post and headed home to make it 3-2 in the 112th minute. Argentina were through, but the final whistle felt more like relief than triumph. For Cape Verde, the exit completes a historic debut World Cup — a 0-0 against Spain, a tie with Uruguay, and a run to the knockout stage — that will be told in Praia for decades.

Messi's record now stands at 20 World Cup goals and eight consecutive scoring appearances — breaking the mark of seven he had set just days earlier. He leads the Golden Boot standings on seven goals. At 38, playing in his fifth World Cup and probably his last, Lionel Messi is writing history one game at a time.

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