Cape Verde 2 – 3 Argentina

WORLDCUP · July 3, 2026 · Final

🎧 Post-Game Report (audio)

Post-Game Recap

Argentina survived a stubborn Cape Verde side tonight, coming away with a three-two victory in what turned out to be a far more complicated night than the Albiceleste would have liked. Argentina came in with the pedigree and the possession, controlling sixty-three percent of the ball and generating twenty-two shots on the evening, but Cape Verde refused to fold and made Emiliano Martínez earn every clean moment between the posts — the goalkeeper finishing with three saves, while his counterpart was called into action eight times, a number that tells you how much pressure Argentina had to absorb on the counter.

Lionel Messi was the engine, as he so often is, finishing with nine total shots and imposing himself on the game whenever Argentina needed a moment of quality. Lisandro Martínez was immaculate in distribution, completing one hundred sixteen accurate passes and anchoring the back line with authority, while Leandro Paredes was everywhere defensively, logging ten interventions to keep Cape Verde's transitions from turning dangerous. Cape Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral had their best looks with two shots, and Kevin Pina kept the ball moving with fifty accurate passes, but the Blue Sharks simply could not convert enough of their sixteen attempts.

Argentina's quality ultimately proved the difference, but this was a reminder that no opponent at this stage of a World Cup is a formality. That's your post-game report. Sports Desk, signing off.

AI-generated post-game report composed from the official play-by-play and box score.

Complete Play-by-Play

Show all 140 plays

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

First Half begins.

Sidny Cabral (Cabo Verde) wins a free kick on the left wing. 4'

Foul by Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina). 4'

Attempt blocked. Ryan Mendes (Cabo Verde) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Diney Borges. 7'

Jovane Cabral (Cabo Verde) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 10'

Foul by Cristian Romero (Argentina). 10'

Attempt missed. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Thiago Almada. 15'

Foul by Jovane Cabral (Cabo Verde). 17'

Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 17'

Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Vozinha (Cabo Verde). 18'

Delay in match for a drinks break. 25'

Delay over. They are ready to continue. 27'

Goal! Argentina 1, Cabo Verde 0. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the top right corner. Assisted by Lisandro Martínez with a through ball. 29'

Jovane Cabral (Cabo Verde) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 32'

Foul by Nahuel Molina (Argentina). 32'

Offside, Argentina. Nahuel Molina is caught offside. 36'

Foul by Deroy Duarte (Cabo Verde). 40'

Thiago Almada (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 40'

Offside, Argentina. Facundo Medina is caught offside. 41'

Foul by Deroy Duarte (Cabo Verde). 42'

Enzo Fernández (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 42'

Foul by Diney Borges (Cabo Verde). 43'

Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 43'

Vozinha (Cabo Verde) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 43'

Foul by Lautaro Martínez (Argentina). 43'

Attempt saved. Enzo Fernández (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Vozinha (Cabo Verde). 45'

Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time. 45'

Sidny Cabral (Cabo Verde) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 45'+2'

Foul by Lionel Messi (Argentina). 45'+2'

First Half ends, Argentina 1, Cabo Verde 0. 45'+4'

Second Half begins Argentina 1, Cabo Verde 0. 45'

Corner, Cabo Verde. Conceded by Nahuel Molina. 48'

Attempt blocked. Jovane Cabral (Cabo Verde) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 49'

Corner, Cabo Verde. Conceded by Rodrigo De Paul. 49'

Attempt missed. Ryan Mendes (Cabo Verde) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Laros Duarte with a headed pass. 49'

Pico Lopes (Cabo Verde) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 50'

Foul by Lautaro Martínez (Argentina). 50'

Steven Moreira (Cabo Verde) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 53'

Foul by Thiago Almada (Argentina). 53'

Attempt saved. Deroy Duarte (Cabo Verde) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Emiliano Martínez (Argentina). 54'

Laros Duarte (Cabo Verde) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 58'

Foul by Cristian Romero (Argentina). 58'

Goal! Argentina 1, Cabo Verde 1. Deroy Duarte (Cabo Verde) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Ryan Mendes. 59'

Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Argentina) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Vozinha (Cabo Verde). Assisted by Lautaro Martínez with a through ball. 63'

Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Diney Borges. 63'

Substitution, Argentina. Julián Alvarez replaces Lautaro Martínez. 63'

Substitution, Argentina. Nico González replaces Thiago Almada. 64'

Attempt missed. Enzo Fernández (Argentina) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Nico González. 67'

Substitution, Cabo Verde. Jamiro Monteiro replaces Laros Duarte. 67'

Substitution, Cabo Verde. Dailon Livramento replaces Nuno da Costa. 67'

Foul by Kevin Pina (Cabo Verde). 68'

Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 68'

Kevin Pina (Cabo Verde) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 68'

Attempt blocked. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 69'

Foul by Deroy Duarte (Cabo Verde). 71'

Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 71'

Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Vozinha (Cabo Verde). 73'

Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Vozinha. 73'

Attempt missed. Nico González (Argentina) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Rodrigo De Paul with a cross following a corner. 73'

Delay in match for a drinks break. 73'

Delay over. They are ready to continue. 76'

Jamiro Monteiro (Cabo Verde) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 77'

Foul by Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina). 77'

Attempt missed. Kevin Pina (Cabo Verde) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left from a direct free kick. 78'

Foul by Dailon Livramento (Cabo Verde). 78'

Cristian Romero (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 78'

Foul by Kevin Pina (Cabo Verde). 79'

Enzo Fernández (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 79'

Substitution, Cabo Verde. Willy Semedo replaces Ryan Mendes. 80'

Substitution, Cabo Verde. Hélio Varela replaces Jovane Cabral. 80'

Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Pico Lopes. 81'

Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Kevin Pina. 84'

Substitution, Argentina. Leandro Paredes replaces Rodrigo De Paul. 84'

Attempt missed. Nico González (Argentina) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Lionel Messi with a cross following a corner. 84'

Handball by Enzo Fernández (Argentina). 84'

Substitution, Argentina. Nicolás Tagliafico replaces Facundo Medina because of an injury. 86'

Offside, Cabo Verde. Hélio Varela is caught offside. 86'

Attempt blocked. Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. 87'

Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Deroy Duarte. 87'

Attempt blocked. Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lionel Messi with a cross. 89'

Fourth official has announced 8 minutes of added time. 90'

Attempt saved. Leandro Paredes (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Vozinha (Cabo Verde). Assisted by Alexis Mac Allister. 90'+2'

Foul by Jamiro Monteiro (Cabo Verde). 90'+4'

Lionel Messi (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 90'+4'

Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Vozinha (Cabo Verde). 90'+5'

Attempt saved. Enzo Fernández (Argentina) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Vozinha (Cabo Verde). 90'+5'

Vozinha (Cabo Verde) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'+5'

Foul by Julián Alvarez (Argentina). 90'+5'

Steven Moreira (Cabo Verde) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 90'+6'

Foul by Nico González (Argentina). 90'+6'

Foul by Willy Semedo (Cabo Verde). 90'+8'

Nicolás Tagliafico (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 90'+8'

Second Half ends, Argentina 1, Cabo Verde 1. 90'+9'

First Half Extra Time begins Argentina 1, Cabo Verde 1. 90'

Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Pico Lopes. 92'

Goal! Argentina 2, Cabo Verde 1. Lisandro Martínez (Argentina) left footed shot from the right side of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Alexis Mac Allister with a headed pass following a corner. 92'

Corner, Cabo Verde. Conceded by Alexis Mac Allister. 96'

Corner, Cabo Verde. Conceded by Nico González. 96'

Attempt missed. Diney Borges (Cabo Verde) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Sidny Cabral with a cross following a corner. 97'

Corner, Cabo Verde. Conceded by Lisandro Martínez. 97'

Attempt blocked. Steven Moreira (Cabo Verde) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Hélio Varela. 97'

Attempt blocked. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Julián Alvarez. 98'

Attempt blocked. Julián Alvarez (Argentina) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 98'

Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Sidny Cabral. 98'

Attempt blocked. Enzo Fernández (Argentina) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. 99'

Substitution, Cabo Verde. Yannick Semedo replaces Deroy Duarte. 100'

Substitution, Cabo Verde. Gilson Benchimol replaces Kevin Pina. 100'

Goal! Argentina 2, Cabo Verde 2. Sidny Cabral (Cabo Verde) right footed shot from the left side of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Yannick Semedo. 103'

Substitution, Argentina. Gonzalo Montiel replaces Nahuel Molina. 104'

Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time. 105'

Attempt saved. Lionel Messi (Argentina) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Vozinha (Cabo Verde). 105'+1'

Attempt blocked. Gonzalo Montiel (Argentina) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. 105'+1'

First Half Extra Time ends, Argentina 2, Cabo Verde 2. 105'+4'

Second Half Extra Time begins Argentina 2, Cabo Verde 2. 105'

Foul by Jamiro Monteiro (Cabo Verde). 107'

Alexis Mac Allister (Argentina) wins a free kick in the attacking half. 107'

Attempt missed. Yannick Semedo (Cabo Verde) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Gilson Benchimol. 108'

Offside, Argentina. Nicolás Tagliafico is caught offside. 109'

Foul by Willy Semedo (Cabo Verde). 110'

Nicolás Tagliafico (Argentina) wins a free kick in the defensive half. 110'

Corner, Argentina. Conceded by Diney Borges. 111'

Attempt missed. Cristian Romero (Argentina) header from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right. Assisted by Lionel Messi with a cross following a corner. 111'

Own Goal by Diney Borges, Cabo Verde. Argentina 3, Cabo Verde 2. 111'

Attempt blocked. Willy Semedo (Cabo Verde) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jamiro Monteiro. 114'

Hélio Varela (Cabo Verde) wins a free kick on the left wing. 115'

Foul by Gonzalo Montiel (Argentina). 115'

Gonzalo Montiel (Argentina) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul. 115'

Attempt saved. Sidny Cabral (Cabo Verde) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is saved in the top right corner by Emiliano Martínez (Argentina). 116'

Corner, Cabo Verde. Conceded by Emiliano Martínez. 116'

Attempt saved. Diney Borges (Cabo Verde) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Emiliano Martínez (Argentina). Assisted by Steven Moreira with a cross. 119'

Corner, Cabo Verde. Conceded by Emiliano Martínez. 119'

Offside, Cabo Verde. Dailon Livramento is caught offside. 119'

Attempt blocked. Hélio Varela (Cabo Verde) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Yannick Semedo. 120'+1'

Corner, Cabo Verde. Conceded by Lisandro Martínez. 120'+1'

Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time. 120'+1'

Attempt blocked. Jamiro Monteiro (Cabo Verde) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Yannick Semedo with a cross. 120'+2'

Attempt missed. Hélio Varela (Cabo Verde) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. 120'+2'

Second Half Extra Time ends, Argentina 3, Cabo Verde 2. 120'+4'

Match ends, Argentina 3, Cabo Verde 2.