World Cup, Lautaro's Argentina through to the Round of 16 | OneFootball

Argentina needed 120 minutes to beat Cabo Verde in the Round of 32, but Lautaro Martinez's Argentina are through to defend their World Cup title. It was a tricky tie for the Albiceleste, who struggled to overcome the Blue Sharks' physicality and organisation. The winner was scored by Romero in the 111th minute to make it 3-2 for Scaloni's men.

The match at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, played at a slow tempo for long periods due to the intense heat, was broken open by Lionel Messi's seventh goal of the tournament. The Argentina captain produced another moment of brilliance after latching onto a long pass from Lisandro Martínez: a perfect first touch followed by a left-footed finish past Vozinha for his 20th FIFA World Cup goal. Cabo Verde responded after the break, equalising in the 55th minute thanks to a fine move that released Duarte in the penalty area, with the forward calmly finishing low from a tight angle. In the 63rd minute, Scaloni replaced Lautaro, once again in the starting XI, with Julián Álvarez after the Inter captain had sent Messi through on goal, only for the Argentina No.10 to be denied by the opposition goalkeeper. Cabo Verde held on and took the match to extra time, but after just three minutes Argentina struck from a corner. Lisandro Martínez controlled the ball at the back post before smashing a left-footed effort into the roof of the net. It was not over, however, as Bubista's side responded once again with a superb goal from Lopes Cabral, who made it 2-2 with a curling right-footed effort into the top corner. Another corner, though, secured qualification for the reigning world champions: Messi's left-footed delivery found the head of Romero, whose effort went in via a deflection off Diney.

Argentina will now take on Egypt in the round of 16 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 18:00 CEST on Tuesday, 7 July.