Cape Verde draws with Argentina in an electrifying match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
An electrifying match marks the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Argentina face Cape Verde in a second round clash that keeps fans in suspense. The duel, which takes place in Miami, is already a 1-1 draw, with the score open and the teams seeking victory in the decisive moments of the second half, with the clock showing 21 minutes of the final stage. The brothers, who dominated much of the first half, saw the African team react and equalize the score in a demonstration of strength and resilience.
Start of the match and Argentine pressure in the first half
The opening whistle in Miami gave Cape Verde its first touches of the ball, in a cautious start for both teams. Argentina, however, did not take long to demonstrate their offensive intentions, with the first attack coming in the first minute, although an inaccurate cross from De Paul did not result in danger. The Cape Verde team, in turn, tried to impose pressure on the ball, with Nuno da Costa standing out in marking, but Cuti Romero managed to maintain possession for the Argentines.
In the fourth minute, a foul by De Paul on Sidny on the left gave Cape Verde a chance at a dead ball, which Jovane Cabral did not take advantage of, sending the cross with excessive force to the other side of the field. From then on, Argentina intensified their game volume, with Lautaro Martínez putting pressure on goalkeeper Vozinha, who demonstrated agility to ward off the danger. Ryan Mendes, from Cape Verde, risked a weak shot from distance, but Dibu Martínez made the save without difficulty. Even with the initiative, the Argentines faced difficulties in the last pass, with Almada and Messi making mistakes in attempts to build an offensive.
Little voice shone as Messi looked for the goal
At nine minutes, goalkeeper Vozinha made a bold and effective move, dribbling past Argentine striker Lautaro Martínez inside the area and leaving calmly, drawing applause from the fans for his confidence. Despite their individual skill, Cape Verde remained with all players on the defensive field, setting up a defensive line that made it difficult for Argentina to penetrate. At fourteen minutes, Lionel Messi had his first clear opportunity, shooting wide after an elaborate move.
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Argentine pressure increased, and after fifteen minutes, a dangerous foul on Messi near the penalty area, committed by Jovane Cabral, offered an excellent chance to score. The number 10 himself took the infraction, but Vozinha made a safe save. The Cape Verdean goalkeeper continued to be the highlight, intercepting a ball from De Paul to Molina and then dribbling past Lautaro Martínez again in another risky ball, demonstrating his confidence and control of the area. Argentina continued to struggle in the final third, with Messi surrounded by three markers in the 22nd minute.
Strategic break and Messi’s historic goal
At 24 minutes, the referee signaled the hydration break, a crucial moment that changed the outlook of the match. After the restart, in the 27th minute, Argentina adopted a different strategy, which immediately bore fruit. Defender Lisandro Martínez made a masterful throw from the defense field to Lionel Messi, who received the ball in the area, adjusted it and finished with precision with his left leg, with no chance for Vozinha. The goal, scored in the 28th minute of the first half, opened the scoring in favor of Argentina and also extended Messi’s record as the greatest scorer in the history of World Cups, a feat that the fans celebrated enthusiastically in Miami.
Learn more: Genius goal! Messi scores a great goal in Argentina vs Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
After the goal, Cape Verde tried to react, but continued to lack offensive effectiveness, while Argentina sought to consolidate its advantage. Enzo Fernández risked a shot from the edge of the area in the 44th minute, which Vozinha saved, preventing Almada from getting the rebound. The first half ended at 49 minutes, with Argentina leading 1-0, in a stage that the South American team largely controlled, especially after the hydration break that seemed to realign its offensive strategy.
Analysis of the first half after the half-time whistle
At the end of the opening stage, Argentina deservedly found itself in front of the scoreboard, with a partial victory of 1-0. The team demonstrated total control of the game, and Lionel Messi, once again, confirmed his role as the main star of the match, not only with the goal that opened the scoring, but also by expanding his impressive historical record of goals in World Cups. The break offered the coaches the opportunity to adjust their tactics, especially for Cape Verde, who needed to find ways to break through the solid Argentine defense and create more attacking opportunities.
The panorama of the first half showed a dominant Argentina. Before the hydration break, the brothers faced a closed Cape Verde defense and had difficulty penetrating the penalty area with their usual short touches. The change came precisely after the interruption: a more direct play, with Lisandro Martínez’s precise throw to Messi, who knew how to take advantage of the chance and find the net, highlighting the Argentine team’s ability to adapt.
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Second half begins with unexpected reaction from Cape Verde
The second stage started without visible changes in the rhythm, with Cape Verde seeking more attack, although still in a disorganized way. After two minutes, Moreira received the ball on the right and tried to pass a cross to Nuno da Costa, who was unable to control it. The pressure from the Africans generated two consecutive corners, one after three minutes and another shortly afterwards, after a shot by Jovane Cabral that was deflected by the defense. Ryan Mendes also tried from distance, sending the ball over the goal in the fourth minute.
Despite the attempts, Cape Verde continued to struggle to build effective counterattacks, while Argentina maintained a good defensive organization, closing spaces. Messi still attempted dangerous shots, but the opposing defense was alert. In the eighth minute, Deroy Duarte risked a low shot from outside the area, forcing Dibu Martínez to make an important save. Argentina had their chance afterwards, with Messi connecting with De Paul, but the finish didn’t come. The match remained at an intense pace, with both teams seeking the advantage.
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Cape Verde’s equalizer changes the game’s scenario
After ten minutes, Messi put pressure on Vozinha in his area, forcing the goalkeeper to shoot to the side. At twelve minutes, Cuti Romero committed a foul on Laros Duarte in midfield, but the referee did not issue a card. Thirteen minutes into the second half, the turnaround happened: Cape Verde got the long-awaited equalizer. In a well-worked move, Ryan Mendes hit a short pass on the right side to Deroy Duarte, the number 14, who finished low and without a chance for Dibu Martínez, equalizing the score at 1-1. The celebration of the players and the Cape Verde fans was intense, injecting even more emotion into the match.
After the equalizer, Argentina seeks the advantage
With the score tied again, Argentina increased the intensity in the search for the winning goal. At sixteen minutes, Messi had a clear opportunity, coming face to face with Vozinha, but ended up shooting over the goalkeeper, wasting a golden chance to put his team back in front. The substitutions came next, at seventeen minutes, with Julián Álvarez replacing Lautaro Martínez, and Nico González replacing Almada, in an attempt to breathe new life into the Argentine attack.
At eighteen minutes, Messi took a corner that ended in the safe hands of Vozinha. In the next minute, nineteen into the second half, Cape Verde’s tactics became even more evident: a total fightback, with all players focused on defending the result. Argentina, in turn, tried in every possible way to find space in the opposing defense, with the game underway and the tension increasing with each move.
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Timeline of the main moves of the match
Follow the main moments of the match between Argentina and Cape Verde, with a detailed timeline of the crucial moments that marked the confrontation so far:
- 09′ 1T:Goalkeeper Vozinha, from Cape Verde, makes a risky and successful dribble over Lautaro Martínez inside the area, showing confidence.
- 14′ 1T:Lionel Messi creates Argentina’s first big scoring chance, but shoots out of the box, wasting the opportunity.
- 28′ 1T:GOOOL from Argentina! Lionel Messi receives a precise throw from Lisandro Martínez and opens the scoring with a left leg shot, becoming the top scorer in World Cups.
- 08′ 2T:Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte tests Dibu Martínez with a low shot from outside the box, forcing the Argentine goalkeeper to make an important save.
- 13′ 2T:GOOOL from Cape Verde! Deroy Duarte hits a low shot after a pass from Ryan Mendes and ties the match at 1-1, surprising Argentina.
- 16′ 2T:Messi misses an unbelievable chance when he shoots over Vozinha, being face to face with the goal and wasting the opportunity to put Argentina in front.
The match between Argentina and Cape Verde is still underway, with emotions running high and both teams looking for victory. The next few minutes promise to be decisive in this match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
