Argentina advanced to the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 3–2 victory over Cape Verde in the round of 32.
The match was played on Friday night, July 3, at the stadium in Miami, Florida.
Lionel Messi, who was rested in the previous match, returned to the starting lineup and scored Argentina’s opening goal.
Cape Verde twice came back to level the score, but Argentina eventually secured the win with a decisive goal in extra time.
Argentina had already won all three of their group-stage matches, continuing their strong start in the tournament after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Cape Verde, making their first-ever World Cup appearance, became the smallest nation in tournament history to reach the knockout stage.
