MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina survives a scare from debutant Cape Verde to reach the World Cup quarterfinals

Lionel Messi put the world champions ahead in the 28th minute, controlling the ball with his left foot and firing a precise shot after an assist from Lisandro Martínez

Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 on Friday, in a match settled in extra time, to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup being held in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The side coached by Lionel Scaloni had to dig deep to overcome a debutant that pushed the tie to the limit at the Miami stadium.

Lionel Messi put the world champions ahead in the 28th minute, controlling the ball with his left foot and firing a precise shot after an assist from Lisandro Martínez. The goal seemed to steer the match, but Cape Verde, making its World Cup debut, responded with a tenacious display and reached the end of the ninety minutes level, having already held its own against higher-ranked opponents in the group stage. One of its goals, scored by Benfica forward Lopes Cabral, seriously troubled Argentina and forced extra time.

In extra time, Lisandro Martínez was again decisive and took part in the move that led to the winning goal, which came in the 111th minute: a shot from Cristian “Cuti” Romero deflected off a Cape Verde defender and ended up in the back of the net. Cape Verde, which managed thirteen shots in the match, could not find another equalizer and was eliminated after a strong showing in its first World Cup.

With this result, Argentina will face Egypt in the quarterfinals, in a match scheduled for Tuesday. The Albiceleste, one of the tournament favorites, is building its campaign on the form of Messi, who created much of the team's threat, though the effort Cape Verde demanded raised questions about its collective play. The Inter Miami forward is playing in what could be his last World Cup as one of the competition's leading figures.