World Cup – Romero forces an own goal, Argentina defeats Cape Verde 3-2

In another key match of the 2026 World Cup Round of 32, Argentina, playing at Hard Rock Stadium, defeated Cape Verde 3-2 thanks to goals from Messi and Lisandro, as well as an own goal forced by Romero in the final moments.

Seven minutes into the match, Cape Verde launched an attack. Dinhey Borges passed the ball to Ryan Mendes, whose shot was blocked by an opposing player. In the 15th minute, Thiago Almada passed the ball to Argentine striker Messi, who received it and fired a shot from inside the penalty area, but the ball went wide of the post.

In the 18th minute, Argentina won a free kick. Messi took the shot directly, but the ball was caught by Cape Verde goalkeeper Chivonia. In the 29th minute, Lisandro made a long pass, and Messi received the ball and scored past Chivonia, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead.

In the 45th minute, Argentina launched an attack. Enzo received the ball and took a long-range shot from outside the penalty area, but the ball was saved by Cape Verde goalkeeper Chivonia.

In the 49th minute of the second half, Jovane Cabral received the ball outside the penalty area and took a long-range shot, but the ball was cleared by an opposing player. Shortly after, Deroy Duarte headed the ball across, and Ryan Mendes' long-range shot went wide.

In the 54th minute, Cape Verde continued their attack. De Roy Duarte received the ball and unleashed a powerful shot, but the ball was saved by Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. In the 59th minute, Ryan Mendes passed the ball across the box, and De Roy Duarte slotted it home, leveling the score at 1-1 for Cape Verde.

In the 63rd minute, Lisandro played a through ball to Messi, whose low shot was saved by Cape Verdean goalkeeper Chivonia. In the 64th minute, Argentina substituted Alvarez and Nico González for Lautaro and Thiago Almada. In the 69th minute, Messi took a free kick but his shot hit the wall.

In the 73rd minute, De Paul took a free kick, and Nico González's header went wide. In the 78th minute, Cape Verde had a free kick opportunity, and Kevin Pina's shot went wide of the post. In the 87th minute, McAllister received the ball and shot from the penalty area, but his effort was blocked.

In the 89th minute, Messi chipped a pass into the penalty area, and McAllister's header struck an opposing player's hand, but the referee ruled no penalty. In stoppage time of the second half, McAllister passed the ball to Padersey, who took a long-range shot from the edge of the penalty area, but the ball was saved by Cape Verde goalkeeper Chivonia.

In the 92nd minute of extra time, Messi took a corner kick, McAllister headed the ball across, and Lisandro received it, took a few steps, and then fired a powerful shot into the net, giving Argentina a 2-1 lead over Cape Verde. In the 103rd minute, Yannick Semedo passed the ball to Lopez Cabral, who curled a shot into the net from inside the penalty area, leveling the score at 2-2 for Cape Verde.

In the 111th minute, Messi took a corner kick, and Romero's header deflected off Dini Borges and into the net, giving Argentina a 3-2 lead again.

Argentina ultimately defeated Cape Verde 3-2 to advance to the round of 16.

Image source: Internet