Holders Argentina break Cape Verde hearts with extra-time win

Argentina beat Cape Verde in extra time, avoiding a huge upset.Lionel Messi scored his seventh goal of the tournament, but Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte equalized.

• Lisandro Martinez put Argentina ahead in extra time, followed by an amazing goal from Sidny Lopes Cabral.
• Diney Borges’ own goal helped Argentina advance, setting up a last-16 match against Egypt.

A last-minute own goal by Diney Borges saved Argentina from a major upset as they narrowly defeated Cape Verde in the last 32.

The team ranked 64th in the world came back to draw with the second-ranked team.

After a 1-1 draw in regular time, Cape Verde forced extra time.
Lisandro Martinez nearly won it for Argentina with a great goal in the 92nd minute.

But Sidny Lopes Cabral, on his career night, scored a brilliant goal 11 minutes later, hitting a curling shot over Emiliano Martinez and into the top corner, making it 2-2.

In the final moments of extra time, Cabral forced a spectacular save from Martinez, but Cape Verde couldn’t equalize again and had to settle for a draw.Holders Argentina break Cape Verde hearts with extra-time win.

The atmosphere in Miami was full of excitement as thousands of Argentines cheered on their team.

They seemed on their way to victory when Lionel Messi added another magical moment in the 29th minute, scoring his 20th World Cup goal with a clever finish.

But Cape Verde, the smallest country ever to play in a World Cup knockout match, didn’t go quietly.Holders Argentina break Cape Verde hearts with extra-time win.

Deroy Duarte scored in the second half, running into the box and finishing past Martinez and the goalkeeper from a tight angle, causing joy among Cape Verde fans.

In the early minutes of extra time, Martinez scored from a corner, beating Vozinha.Holders Argentina break Cape Verde hearts with extra-time win.

Then came Cabral’s stunning equalizer for Cape Verde.
Though they didn’t win, they made a big impact on the World Cup.

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Holders Argentina break Cape Verde hearts with extra-time win