Argentina survive Cape Verde scare to reach World Cup last 16

Argentina were given a huge scare before ending Cape Verde's fairytale run as Lionel Messi netted his 20th World Cup goal in a 3-2 win after extra-time to reach the last 16.

Messi's sublime control and finish for his seventh goal at this tournament in four games put the defending champions in command, but the Blue Sharks doggedly refused to go away.

Deroy Duarte's strike on the hour mark forced Argentina to expand more energy than they would have wanted in the sapping Miami heat.

Lisandro Martínez briefly restored Argentina's lead early in extra time before Sidny Lopes Cabral's stunning shot rocketed into the top corner.

Another Argentina corner finally got the job done when Cristian Romero rose highest to head Messi's corner, the ball going in after taking a deflection off Diney Borges for an own goal.

La Albiceleste will face Egypt next on Tuesday in Atlanta, but there were concerns for Lionel Scaloni on his 100th match in chargem despite what appears a favourable draw.

Cape Verde served warning of what they were capable of by holding European champions Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws in Group H to reach the knockout stages in their first World Cup appearance.

The Blue Sharks coach Bubista said the meeting with Messi and the world champions would be "the game of our lives" and it showed in a spirited display that had Argentina sweating for over 120 minutes.

On his return to the city where he now plays his club football for Inter Miami, Messi's every move was greeted like a god by the nearly 65,000 crowd that was awash of sky-blue-and-white shirts.

Moments of magic

The 39-year-old produced a moment of magic with a feather-like touch from Lisandro Martínez's pass to set up a high finish past Vozinha to open the scoring.

In doing so Messi also extended his own record of scoring in eight consecutive World Cup games and opened up a two-goal cushion once more over France's Kylian Mbappé in the battle to be the competition's all-time top goalscorer.

Emi Martínez had been a spectator in the first half, but the Aston Villa goalkeeper was forced into a smart save by Duarte as Cape Verde started the second period with more attacking intent.

Martínez was powerless for the equaliser moments later when Duarte was picked out by Ryan Mendes and rifled a low shot into the far corner.

Cape Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha became an internet sensation after his man-of-the-match showing against Spain last month.

His nearly 18 million Instagram followers will have enjoyed him winning a one-on-one battle with Messi when the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner seemed certain to restore Argentina's lead.

Irish-born Pico Lopes was next to be a Cape Verdean hero with a crucial intervention to deny Enzo Fernandez a tap-in after more inspiration from Messi created an opening.

Lisandro Martínez's rising drive after a corner fell the Manchester United defender's way two minutes into extra-time looked to have swung the momentum decisively in Argentina's favour once more.

But again Cape Verde refused to bow and levelled with one of the goals of the tournament when Lopes Cabral smashed into the top corner.

The full-back ran off into the stands to celebrate with his partner.

Elsewhere around the crowd, the boisterous atmosphere that had accompanied most of the evening gave way to nervous tension as penalties approached.

Scaloni could only wipe his furrowed brow with relief when Messi's corner was turned in for an own goal by the unfortunate Borges.

Yet an exhausted Argentina still had to ride their luck from a Cape Verde onslaught in the final seconds.

Emi Martínez this time won the battle with Lopes Cabral by tipping over another sweet strike that was headed for the top corner.

Victory, finally, was Argentina's.

Line-ups

Argentina: Emiliano Martínez - Nahuel Molina (Gonzalo Montiel 104), Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina (Nicolás Tagliafico 86) - Rodrigo De Paul (Leandro Paredes 84), Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Thiago Almada (Nicolás González 64) - Lionel Messi (cap), Lautaro Martínez (Julián Álvarez 63). Coach: Lionel Scaloni.

Cape Verde: Josimar Vozinha - Steven Moreira, Roberto Lopez, Diney, Sidney Lopes Cabral - Ryan Mendes Da Graça (cap) (Willy Semedo 80) - Laros Duarte (Jamiro Monteiro 67), Kevin Pina (Gilson Tavares 100), Deroy Duarte (Jair Semedo Monteiro 100), Jovane Cabral (Helio Varela 80) - Joia Nuno Da Costa (Dailon Livramento 67). Coach: Pedro Leitao Brito.

– TIMES/AFP