Cape Verde almost pulled the biggest upset in World Cup history.
Almost.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi scored a first-half goal and Cape Verde had an answer, taking the round of 32 matchup to extra time.
In a thrilling back-and-forth match, 90 minutes wasn’t enough, and Argentina ultimately prevailed, 3-2, on Friday night at Miami Stadium.
Argentina advances to face Egypt — the winner over Australia on penalty kicks Friday — in the round of 16 at noon Tuesday at Atlanta Stadium.
Cape Verde tied it at 1 on a goal by
Cristian Romero’s header off the goalkeeper put Argentina in the lead for good in the 111th minute. Messi set up the go-ahead score with a corner kick, and Argentina held on, ending the dream run for the small island country in western Africa with a population of about 500,000.
Cape Verde, ranked No. 61 in the world, took the No. 1 team to the brink in the 30-minute extra period. Sidny Lopes Cabral and Deroy Duarte had goals for the Blue Sharks in extra time.
It looked like the teams would be headed for penalty kicks after Cabral hit a strike from inside the box in the 103rd minute to tie it at 2, sending the Cape Verde fans at Miami Stadium into a frenzy.
The loss ended an improbable run for Cape Verde, which included a 0-0 draw in the opener against Spain in the opener in Atlanta. With the wain, the Blue Sharks became the smallest country to make it to the knockout rounds.
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
