Lionel Messi was once again on the scoresheet as Argentina national football team secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Cape Verde national football team to book their place in the Round of 16 after an enthralling encounter.
Messi gave Argentina the lead in the 29th minute with a well-taken finish, putting the South American side in control before Cape Verde responded after the break.
Messi’s opener was his seventh goal of the ongoing FIFA World Cup, taking his overall World Cup tally to 20 goals.
The landmark strike saw the Argentine captain become the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, further cementing his legendary status in international football.
Duarta D. restored parity for the Africans in the 59th minute, making it 1-1 and setting up a tense contest as both teams searched for a decisive breakthrough.
Argentina appeared to have snatched victory deep into stoppage time when Lautaro MartÃnez found the back of the net in the 92nd minute to make it 2-1.
However, Cape Verde refused to give up, with Lopez Cabral S. producing a stunning strike in the 103rd minute to level the score at 2-2 and force the game into extra time.
The decisive moment came in the 111th minute when Borges D. inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, handing Argentina a 3-2 lead that they held onto until the final whistle.
The victory sends Argentina through to the Round of 16, while Cape Verde’s spirited performance ultimately ended in heartbreak despite pushing the defending champions all the way.