Argentina sweats it out: 3-2 past Cape Verde in extra time and Messi's record

What a fright the champions got! Argentina had to sweat blood to put away Cabo Verde 3-2 after extra time, in Miami, against the tournament's surprise package. The defending champions came within a whisker of a historic upset… but Messi showed up to keep making history.

The match. Messi put Argentina ahead (29') with a goal that makes him the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, with 20 goals. But Cabo Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach a last 16, didn't flinch: Deroy Duarte equalized (59') with a chip that left everyone gobsmacked, and took the game to extra time with Vozinha—their 40-year-old keeper—in absolutely inspired form.

Extra-time madness. Lisandro Martínez made it 2-1 with a thunderbolt (92'), but Sidny Lopes Cabral hit back with the goal of the tournament: an impossible curler from the corner of the box (103') that made it 2-2 and had all of Argentina's hearts in their mouths. When a penalty shootout looked nailed on, Cristian Romero tapped in a Messi corner and the ball sneaked in after touching Diney Borges (o.g., 111'). Maximum suffering, but they're through.

What's next. Argentina will face Egipto in the last 16. Cabo Verde bow out as the tournament's great romantic heroes: they made life impossible for the champions and leave with their heads held high and the affection of everyone.

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