liveUpdated 28s agoFollow live reaction to the game of the tournament as Argentina saw off Cape Verde 3-2.The Athletic Live TeamJuly 3, 2026 at 8:49 PM EDTCristiano Romero won the game for Argentina. GettyArgentina beat Cape Verde 3-2Argentina saw off a spirited Cape Verde side in one of the most incredible World Cup knockout matches in recent memory.Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez struck in extra time for Argentina, either side of Sidny Lopes Cabral’s goal-of-the-tournament contender, which drew Cape Verde level.Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the first half, only for Deroy Duarte to equalise and force the game into extra time.Messi’s goal moved him clear of Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot and also extended his all-time men’s World Cup scoring record. He has now scored 20 World Cup goals, two more than France’s Mbappe.It felt like Argentina was pushed just as hard in that match as they were by France in the 2022 World Cup final. What a finish. I thought Cape Verde should have been able to get that final throw off.Respect well earnedAmid the joy for the Argentines and the heartbreak for Cape Verdians, there have been several gestures of respect for Vozinha and other Cape Verde players from the Argentina players. Beyond well deserved.What a performanceThat was a glorious ending to their World Cup campaign for Cape Verde. They pushed the reigning world champions all the way. No one expected that. Can't believe we were robbed of the Messi v Vozinha shootout...FULL TIME: Argentina pushed all the way ReutersFT Argentina 3-2 Cape VerdeWhat a match in Miami. Cape Verde came from behind twice and pushed Argentina right to the end of extra time, but were beaten by a late Cristian Romero header, that was eventually credited as a Borges own goal. A heroic effort from the World Cup debutants ranked 64th in the world, they can hold their heads high.For Argentina, that is a scare and an extra 30 minutes of football that they would not have wanted. Messi and co face Egypt next in Atlanta on Tuesday.120+2' Argentina 3-2 Cape VerdeSeconds ticking away for Cape Verde. What a magnificent World Cup debut showing from Cape Verde. Reuters118' Argentina 3-2 Cape VerdeAnother brilliant, brave bit of goalkeeping there from Martinez, who flings his body at the ball to get to it before a lunging Benchimol.Cape Verde still going for it in the final minutes. Emi Martinez making a clutch save near the end of extra time? That looks familiar. ReutersAgain, Cape Verde on the front foot. This is not over yet. 116' Argentina 3-2 Cape VerdeWhat a save from Martinez!Lopes Cabral whips another effort across goal, this time from a free kick, but the Argentina goalkeeper tips the ball over the bar. 114' Argentina 3-2 Cape VerdeLovely ball across the field there from Monteiro, but Moreira cannot get on the end of it on the right-hand side of the Argentina penalty area.The full-back was at full stretch but can't stop the ball going out for a goal kick. Surely that is it! Right? ReutersThe ebbs and flows of this match have been superb.We have seen Argentina twice hit the front before this and sit back, asking Cape Verde to attack them — and twice they have been pegged back.Surely they won't be doing it a third time.Will anyone truly think this game is over after what we've seen?How Romero gave Argentina the lead, again... Reuters111' Argentina 3-2 Cape VerdeMessi swings in another corner from the left. Romero rises high, and his header takes a deflection and nestles into the far corner. Nothing Vozinha could do about that. A lot to ask for Cape Verde to come back again.GOAL! Argentina lead again Reuters111' Argentina 3-2 Cape VerdeAnother corner. Another goal! This time Romero heads home.Physically, you couldn’t say Cape Verde look any less fresh than Argentina. Probably the opposite, if truth be told. The holders cannot risk this going to penalties. Getty Images110' Argentina 2-2 Cape VerdeScaloni looks concerned on the sidelines as the camera cuts to him. His side have not got going in this second half of extra time, yet.108' Argentina 2-2 Cape VerdeCape Verde break, but Yannick Semedo's shot from 35 yards is beyond optimistic and was not close to troubling Martinez. Give it to us! Getty ImagesWe’re just 15 minutes away from the ultimate Ed Mackey manifestation—Messi vs. Vozinha, face to face in a penalty shootout. Argentina may have the best tools available on the pitch, and yet, Cape Verde are playing with the kind of collective, relentless heart that tactical boards cannot measure. There’s plenty of talent to go around, but whoever makes it through may do so by pure adrenaline.Spotted on camera — a woman in an Uruguay shirt with a Cape Verde flag. Noisy neighbours.