Argentina squeezed past Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the moment was intense enough to make head coach Lionel Scaloni cry on the sideline. An own goal by Cape Verde defender Diney Borges proved to be the decisive moment, sending the Albiceleste through and capping off one of the tournament’s most dramatic knockout-stage matches so far.
The game took place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, and it doubled as Scaloni’s 100th match in charge of the Argentine national team. That’s a milestone that carries weight on its own. Pair it with a near-upset by one of the tournament’s most unlikely participants, and you get a coach fighting back tears on international television.
The match that almost broke Argentina
Cape Verde came into this World Cup as debutants and promptly made history. They became the smallest nation by population ever to reach the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup. Their defensive organization throughout the group stage earned them the right to face Argentina in the round of 32.
Scaloni himself acknowledged as much before the match. He said Cape Verde’s advancement was “no accident” and praised the team for its merits in navigating the group stage unbeaten, even if they hadn’t technically won a match outright.
