Defending champions Argentina needed extra time to overcome World Cup debutants Cape Verde 3-2 in a breathtaking round-of-32 encounter in Miami, advancing to the last 16 where they will face Egypt in Atlanta on July 7.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 28th minute, finishing a precise long pass from Lisandro Martinez with a powerful shot from seven yards inside the box that Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha could not stop.
Cape Verde equalized in the 59th minute through Deroy Duarte, who ran onto a pass from Ryan Mendes down the right flank and slotted the ball under Emiliano Martinez. Lisandro Martinez rushed to cover but could not prevent the finish.
Argentina struggled to restore their lead as Vozinha denied Messi repeatedly — blocking two free kicks and a one-on-one chance that left the crowd gasping.
Lisandro Martinez, who had provided the assist for the opening goal, took matters into his own hands in the 91st minute. A corner deflected to him in space, and instead of crossing, he struck a fierce shot from a tight angle to beat Vozinha.
Cape Verde responded almost immediately through Sidney Lopes Cabral’s stunning equalizer, sending the match to extra time.
The decisive moment came in the 111th minute when a Cristian Romero header struck Cape Verde’s Borges and deflected into the net. Despite the defeat, Cape Verde’s World Cup debut was a memorable one, with Vozinha’s heroics and the team’s resilience earning widespread admiration.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report