What madness was that? 🤯 Argentina and Cape Verde serve up epic match | OneFootball

An easy time against a World Cup debutant that qualified after three draws?

That’s not what happened in Miami this Friday (3). 

Defending champion Argentina had to WORK VERY HARD against the capable (and historic) Cape Verde national team.

It watched the clash for a spot in the round of 16 go to extra time and won 3-2 with Messi decisive and unexpected protagonists.

Argentina escaped a potentially huge embarrassment to set up a clash against Egypt in the round of 16. 

As for the Blue Sharks, they bowed out of the World Cup with their heads held high and without being defeated in regular time by three world champions. 

Check out the highlights below. 

Messi made the difference

Making their World Cup debut, the African side was holding off yet another world champion after Spain and Uruguay.

The Messi vs. Vozinha duel had only “appeared” once, with the goalkeeper comfortably collecting the No. 10’s free kick. 

Bubista’s Cape Verde looked very organized without the ball. And it wasn’t suffering.

Then came the hydration break and, when the match resumed, Messi was played through by Lisandro Martínez, controlled it and finished with no chance for Vozinha (28').

A goal “Messi-style.” And his 20th at the World Cup. His eighth straight World Cup match finding the net. 

They didn’t kill it off and....

The second half arrived and, with it, an Argentina without the same intensity.

Cape Verde kept believing. And started to control the game.

Deroy Duarte tested Dibu in the 54th minute. And BEAT the Argentine goalkeeper five minutes later.

Another efficient passing move and a deserved goal for the team that was pushing harder.

Argentina ON THE ATTACK

The Cape Verde goal made Scaloni go to work.

Argentina started to “take it seriously” again. And began to pile on the pressure.

But Vozinha “made a name for himself,” including two fine saves against Messi.

Helping force another 30 minutes of football. 

ABSURD extra time

Argentina needed just two minutes of extra time to take the lead once again.

And again with Lisandro Martínez proving decisive. 

Only the team on the other side refused to lose.

And it found another equalizer thanks to a stunning goal from Sidny Cabral. 

The other Argentine center-back on the pitch would take center stage.

Messi took the corner, Cuti Romero sent it goalward, and the ball deflected off Diney Borges. Argentina back in front again (111'). 

The Blue Sharks did not give up. And it could not have been any different.

But Argentina won a historic match.

What now❓

La Albiceleste will face Egypt next Tuesday (7) in Atlanta.

Whoever goes through will face Switzerland or the winner of Colombia vs. Ghana — who play later today — in the quarterfinals.

And their opponent in a possible semifinal would be Brazil, Norway, Mexico or England. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

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