Lisandro Martinez stars with goal and assist as Argentina survive Cape Verde Islands scare

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4 July 2026

Argentina needed 120 grueling minutes to overcome

World Cup

debutants Cape Verde Islands 3–2 in a dramatic Round of 32 clash at Hard Rock Stadium.

Lionel Messi

opened the scoring at 29 minutes with a sublime finish, but Deroy Duarte's 59th-minute equalizer forced the defending champions into extra time against opponents making their tournament debut.

All three extra-time goals came from defenders as Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina's lead at 93 minutes, Sidny Lopes Cabral equalized again at 103 minutes with a stunning strike, and

Cristian Romero

headed home the winner at 111 minutes from Messi's corner. GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from

Argentina

v Cape Verde Islands.

Follow the latest World Cup News on Goal.com

The

Manchester United

defender delivered an extraordinary all-round performance combining elite distribution with decisive goalscoring. His magnificent long pass from the centre circle at 29 minutes released Messi behind the Cape Verde defence for the opening goal, showcasing exceptional vision and technique from deep.

Martinez then scored a stunning goal himself at 93 minutes in extra time, controlling a loose ball inside the area before firing a left-footed strike into the top right corner to restore Argentina's lead. His passing range consistently unlocked space for Argentina's attackers, repeatedly finding teammates between Cape Verde's defensive lines throughout the 120 minutes.

His direct involvement in two of Argentina's three goals demonstrated the importance of set-piece and deep-passing contributions to the team's attacking structure. The defender's composure in possession and willingness to step forward proved decisive in a match that could have ended Argentina's tournament.

Messi delivered another defining

performance with a goal and an assist while constantly threatening Vozinha's goal. He opened the scoring at 29 minutes with a sublime left-footed finish into the top corner after controlling Lisandro Martinez's superb long pass, extending his record as the tournament's all-time top scorer.

captain created the winning goal at 111 minutes with a precise corner-kick delivery that

headed home. Throughout the 120 minutes, Messi engaged in a personal duel with Vozinha, seeing the goalkeeper deny him brilliantly in a one-on-one at 63 minutes and with spectacular saves from free kicks and shots.

His involvement in both the opening and winning goals proved essential to

advancing. Despite being repeatedly frustrated by Vozinha's heroics, Messi's quality in delivering the decisive set-piece showed his importance as creator when direct finishing opportunities were blocked.

The Inter striker struggled to impose himself on the match during his 63 minutes as Cape Verde's compact defensive structure limited his involvement in the final third. He found himself isolated at times as Argentina's patient possession approach meant service into the forward areas was infrequent.

Lautaro had limited touches in dangerous positions before being replaced by Julian Alvarez following Cape Verde's equalizing goal at 59 minutes. His substitution formed part of Scaloni's tactical response to inject fresh energy and different options in the attacking positions as

sought to regain control.

The decision to withdraw Argentina's starting striker highlighted his ineffective night. While the defensive structure of Cape Verde contributed to his isolation, the contrast with Messi's influence throughout the match underlined how the forward line lacked its usual cutting edge with Lautaro leading the line.

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