Argentina escaped one of the biggest scares at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time in a dramatic Round of 32 clash. Lionel Messi scored another historic World Cup goal, but the defending champions were pushed to their limits by a fearless Cape Verde side that refused to back down.Although Argentina booked their place in the Round of 16, the debate did not go away even after the final whistle. Fans instead flooded social media timelines with praise for Cape Verde’s outstanding performance, saying the newcomers to the tournament deserved the respect of the world despite the heartbreaking defeat.
Cape Verde pushed the defending champions in an unforgettable match
Many expected Argentina to advance to the next round after Messi opened the scoring with his record-extending 20th World Cup goal. Instead, Cape Verde responded with remarkable determination. Deroy Duarte led his side in the second half before Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina’s lead early in extra time.When it seemed like the game was over, Sidny Lopes Cabral made a stunning long range strike that made the fans lose their faith and tied the game again. Argentina eventually got the win after a corner kick ended in Diney Borge’s own goal, but Cape Verde continued to attack until the final whistle and almost forced penalties.The result sent Argentina into the Round of 16, but many viewers felt the scoreline only told part of the story. Cape Verde, playing its first World Cup knockout match, matched one of football’s biggest powers with courage, discipline, and belief for more than 120 minutes.
Fans praise Cape Verde while criticizing Argentina after thrilling win
Supporters praised goalkeeper Vozinha, who made several key saves against Messi and frustrated the defending champions all night.One fan wrote, “100% successful dribbles. Vozinha owns Argentina and Messi.” Another supporter supported Cape Verde’s quality by saying, “From what I’ve seen this Cape Verde team can beat Portugal any day.”Many fans also pointed out how difficult Argentina found the competition. One post read, “Argentina needed extra time and 2 corner kicks to beat Cabo Verde” Many supporters believed the result was less important than Cape Verde’s performance. One fan wrote, “Argentina won the game but Cape Verde won our hearts.”Others used the game to criticize the reigning champions. A viral reaction said, “Super proud of them. They exposed a fraudulent team.” Another emotional message highlights how Cape Verde’s encouraging progress has changed the world’s perception of the country. The fan wrote, “The world is very proud of these players from Cape Verde and I believe that more people around the world will definitely know this country now. They really rocked the football world and proved their doubters wrong. Even Messi will never forget this particular match in his life.Another supporter summed up the situation across social media by writing, “Vozinha and Cape Verde deserve a standing ovation tonight.” Argentina kept its World Cup dreams alive, but Cape Verde left the tournament with its reputation in tatters. The debutants of the tournament won the praise of the entire world of football after making one of the greatest underdog performances of the 2026 World Cup, proving that they belong on the biggest stage of the sport.