World Cup Round of 32
Argentina 3 - 2 AET Cape Verde Islands
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
29' L. Messi (L. Martinez)
HT
D. Duarte (R. Mendes) 59'
63' ↓ L. Martinez ↑J. Alvarez
64' ↓ T. Almada ↑N. Gonzalez
↓ L. Duarte ↑J. Monteiro 67'
↓ N. Da Costa ↑D. Livramento 67'
K. Lenini 68'
↓ R. Mendes ↑W. Semedo 80'
↓ J. Cabral ↑H. Varela 80'
84' ↓ R. de Paul ↑L. Paredes
86' ↓ F. Medina ↑N. Tagliafico
92' L. Martinez (A. Mac Allister)
↓ D. Duarte ↑Y. Semedo 100'
↓ K. Lenini ↑Benchimol 100'
S. Lopes Cabral (Y. Semedo) 103'
104' ↓ N. Molina ↑G. Montiel
111' D. Borges
115' G. Montiel
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Argentina
Goalkeepers
Emiliano Martínez 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
121
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Nahuel Molina 
NPC
104
Minutes
104
Minutes
50%
Pass Acc
6.2
Rating
Cristian Romero 
MAGNET
124
Activity
124
Activity
115
Passes
9
Duels
Lisandro Martínez 
CLUTCH HERO
92
Goal Time
92
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
9.2
Rating
Facundo Medina 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
80%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Rodrigo De Paul
MAGNET
81
Activity
81
Activity
77
Passes
4
Duels
Alexis Mac Allister
MAGNET
102
Activity
102
Activity
89
Passes
13
Duels
Enzo Fernández
MAGNET
121
Activity
121
Activity
111
Passes
10
Duels
Thiago Almada
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
64
Total Mins
64
Entry
Forwards
Lionel Messi 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
35%
Pass Acc
Lautaro Martínez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
63
Total Mins
63
Entry
BENCH
Gerónimo Rulli 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Juan Musso
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Nicolás Tagliafico
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
35
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gonzalo Montiel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marcos Senesi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nicolás Otamendi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Leandro Paredes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
37
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Exequiel Palacios
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Giovani Lo Celso
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Valentín Barco
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nicolás González
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Julián Alvarez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
58
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Giuliano Simeone
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nico Paz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
José Manuel López
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Cape Verde Islands
Goalkeepers
Vozinha 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Steven Moreira
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
121
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pico
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
121
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Diney Borges
CLUTCH HERO
111
Goal Time
111
Goal Time
Own Goal
Impact
6
Rating
Sidny Lopes Cabral
CLUTCH HERO
103
Goal Time
103
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.5
Rating
Midfielders
Kevin Lenini
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Ryan Mendes 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.6
Rating
Laros Duarte
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
67
Entry
Deroy Duarte 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Jovane Cabral
LATE SHIFT
10
Late Mins
10
Late Mins
80
Total Mins
80
Entry
Forwards
Nuno Da Costa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
67
Entry
BENCH
CJ Dos Santos
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Márcio Rosa
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Logan Costa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kelvin Pires
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Stopira
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Wagner Pina
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jamiro Monteiro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
54
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yannick Semedo 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
21
Minutes
6.9
Rating
João Paulo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Telmo Arcanjo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dailon Rocha Livramento
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
54
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hélio Varela
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
41
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Willy Semedo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
41
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gilson Tavares
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Garry Rodrigues
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Extra-Time Chaos Sends Argentina Through as Cape Verde Stand Tall
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 85/100. An agonizingly tight Round of 32 clash delivered breathtaking drama, requiring an own goal in extra time to separate two exhausted sides.
Early Domination & The Breakthrough
Argentina stepped onto the pitch at Hard Rock Stadium fully expecting to steamroll their way into the Round of 16. They dominated possession from the get-go, suffocating Cape Verde Islands with relentless pressure. The raw Intensity of the opening half-hour painted a picture of one-way traffic, culminating in a 29th-minute breakthrough. L. Messi orchestrated the magic, firing home after a sharp setup from L. Martinez. But the underdogs refused to roll over. Despite facing a barrage of attempts, veteran goalkeeper Vozinha stood on his head, producing acrobatic stops to keep the deficit to a single goal. His crucial interventions ensured the African side remained in the contest heading into the second half, setting the stage for an unexpected shift in momentum.
The Underdog Bite
The second half flipped the script entirely, introducing a massive Upset Factor to this knockout tie. Cape Verde emerged with renewed belief, and their bravery was rewarded just shy of the hour mark. D. Duarte found the back of the net after R. Mendes carved open the South American defense. The Balance of power violently shifted. This wasn't just a defensive masterclass from the Islanders; it became a genuine shootout. A combined 35 shots rained down on both goals, with 15 hitting the target. Argentina threw everything forward, racking up 15 corner kicks, but the blue-and-white wall held firm. Normal time expired with the giants frustrated and the underdogs dreaming of a historic giant-killing, forcing an exhausting additional thirty minutes under the Miami lights.
Extra-Time Heartbreak
The elimination Stakes reached a boiling point the moment extra time began. Argentina thought they had broken the Islanders' resolve in the 92nd minute when Martinez turned finisher, burying an A. Mac Allister pass. Yet, the drama was far from over. Substitute Y. Semedo delivered a pinpoint assist for S. Lopes Cabral, who sparked pure pandemonium with a 103rd-minute equalizer. The lead changed hands constantly, stretching both squads to their physical limits. Ultimately, a cruel twist of fate decided the Round of 32 clash. In the 111th minute, immense Argentine pressure forced D. Borges into a devastating own goal. It was a heartbreaking finale for a valiant Cape Verde side, but Argentina survive by the skin of their teeth to march onward.
Key Questions
What made Lionel Messi the Man of the Match?
With an elite 9.5 rating, Messi scored the opening goal, provided four key passes, and relentlessly drove Argentina's attack forward.
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
Four incredible lead changes and desperate late equalizers created an end-to-end shootout, culminating in a devastating extra-time own goal.
How dramatic was the late winner by Lionel Messi?
Messi scored the 29th-minute opener, not the winner. The actual decisive goal was a heartbreaking 111th-minute own goal by Diney Borges.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Argentina's Firepower Meets Cape Verde's Resilience
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 42/100. A massive probability gap dictates this knockout tie, but tournament football always leaves a sliver of hope for the ultimate underdog.
The Setup
There are no second chances on July 03, 2026. The Stakes are at their absolute peak as Argentina enters this Round of 32 clash completely unblemished. Two wins, five goals scored, and zero conceded paint a picture of a South American giant in frightening Form. On the other side, Cape Verde Islands arrive unbeaten but winless, having ground out three consecutive draws to scrape through. Consequently, the Balance of this tie skews heavily toward the favorites. The sheer density of Stars on the Argentine roster, featuring game-changers like J. Álvarez and midfield maestro E. Fernández, makes this a daunting mountain for the island nation to climb.
Key Battle
This match will be an exercise in attack versus defense. Argentina's glittering forward line will inevitably set up camp in the attacking third, dominating possession and probing for weaknesses. Cape Verde's backline must deliver a flawless, deeply disciplined low-block performance. If the underdogs lose focus for even a second, the South Americans will punish them instantly.
Our Prediction
Argentina will secure a comfortable 3-0 victory. Expect Cape Verde to hold out courageously for the first twenty minutes before relentless pressure forces a breakthrough. Once the first goal goes in, the floodgates will open, allowing the favorites to coast into the next round.