Argentina defeats Cape Verde in World Cup match

On July 4, 2026, Argentina secured a 3-2 victory against Cape Verde in the World Cup, advancing to the Round of 16. Lionel Messi scored the opening goal, marking his seventh of the tournament and his 20th overall in World Cup history. The match remained competitive throughout, ultimately requiring extra time to decide the outcome. During the 93rd minute, Messi suffered a facial injury after colliding with Joao Paulo's knee following a tackle by Duarte. Despite appearing with a visible bump on his forehead during a post-match interview, the injury was reported as non-serious. Messi acknowledged the challenge posed by the Cape Verde team, noting that the competitiveness of this tournament makes every match difficult. This result confirms Argentina's progression to the next stage of the competition.