Cape Verde‍‍`s fairytale ends as Argentina reach the Round of 16

Few would have expected reigning world champions Argentina to face such a stern test at the start of the match. But World Cup debutants Cape Verde pushed Lionel Messi and his teammates to the very limit, coming within touching distance of making history before their dream run was finally brought to an end.

After a dramatic 120-minute contest, Lionel Scaloni‍‍`s side secured a thrilling 3-2 victory in extra time to book their place in the Round of 16.

Argentina dominated possession throughout the first half, but Cape Verde‍‍`s disciplined defense frustrated the South Americans early on. In the 15th minute, Lionel Messi failed to convert a chance created by Thiago Almada, and three minutes later the Argentine captain was denied from a free kick by goalkeeper Vozinha.

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 29th minute. Lisandro Martínez‍‍`s pinpoint long ball was brilliantly controlled by Messi, who burst through the Cape Verde defense before calmly finishing inside the near post. It was his seventh goal of the tournament. The strike also took his direct goal contributions in World Cup knockout matches to 12 (six goals and six assists), the most by any player since 1966. Messi also became the first player to score in eight consecutive World Cup matches, while taking his overall World Cup tally to 20 goals.

Argentina continued to press after taking the lead, but 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha produced another excellent save to deny Enzo Fernández‍‍`s long-range effort, ensuring the Albiceleste went into halftime with a narrow 1-0 advantage.

The complexion of the match changed after the break. Cape Verde emerged with greater attacking intent and were denied by Emiliano Martínez in the 54th minute. Five minutes later, however, they found a deserved equalizer as Ryan Mendes‍‍` cutback was emphatically finished by Deroy Duarte from a tight angle to make it 1-1.

Argentina responded with wave after wave of attacks. Vozinha denied Messi from close range in the 62nd minute after a pass from Lautaro Martínez, before producing another superb save to keep out Messi‍‍`s curling free kick ten minutes later. Messi had two more efforts, while Leandro Paredes and Alexis Mac Allister also came close, but neither side could find a winner in normal time as the match headed into extra time at 1-1.

The world champions regained the lead almost immediately after extra time began. In the 92nd minute, following a corner, Alexis Mac Allister flicked the ball on for Lisandro Martínez, who controlled it before firing a powerful left-footed shot into the roof of the net for 2-1. It was the third-fastest goal ever scored in extra time in World Cup history.

Cape Verde refused to surrender. In the 103rd minute, Sidney Lopes Cabral cut inside from the left and curled a magnificent strike into the far corner beyond Emiliano Martínez to level the score at 2-2 with what could be one of the goals of the tournament.

With penalties looming, the decisive moment arrived in the 111th minute. Messi‍‍`s corner was met by Cristian Romero, whose header deflected off Dine Borges and into the net. The own goal restored Argentina‍‍`s lead at 3-2.

Cape Verde nearly forced another equalizer late on. In the 116th minute, Sidney Cabral‍‍`s powerful free kick from outside the box was heading for the top corner, but Emiliano Martínez produced a sensational save to tip the ball behind for a corner, preserving Argentina‍‍`s advantage.

Vozinha was one of Cape Verde‍‍`s standout performers, making eight saves to repeatedly deny Argentina. Messi finished with five shots on target, but Argentina ultimately needed an own goal to secure victory.

Although Argentina advanced to the Round of 16, Cape Verde left the tournament with their heads held high, proving they are far more than surprise newcomers. Their fearless performance showed they have the quality to trouble even the world‍‍`s biggest footballing powers.