Messi's Argentina break Cape Verde's resistance to reach quarter-finals

Although they played attacking football from the start in the match held at Miami Stadium at 4:00 AM Bangladesh time on Saturday (July 4), Argentina could only manage a single goal in the first half.

In the 29th minute of the match, Lionel Messi controlled a high ball from Lisandro Martinez and sent a precise shot into the net. With this goal, he became the first footballer to reach the milestone of 20 goals in World Cup history. At the same time, he increased his goal tally in the current tournament to seven.

Lionel Scaloni's team went into the break with a one-goal lead. However, in the 59th minute of the second half, Cape Verde equalized through a brilliant goal from Deroy Duarte. His powerful shot from the corner of the box left Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez with no chance.

The match went into extra time after the regulation 90 minutes ended in a 1-1 draw. Argentina took the lead again early in extra time. After a corner kick, Alexis Mac Allister's header deflected, and Leandro Martinez, who was unmarked, fired a powerful left-footed shot to make it 2-1.

However, Cape Verde did not give up. In the 103rd minute, the African side equalized again through a brilliant long-range shot from Sidney Lopes Cabral. The shot curled into the top corner of the net, leaving Emiliano Martinez with no chance to save it.

Just as the match was heading towards a penalty shootout, a dramatic twist occurred. In the 111th minute, a Cape Verde defender scored an own goal while trying to block a header from Cristian Romero. That goal ultimately secured the victory for Argentina.

With this win, Argentina has advanced to the quarter-finals. In the last eight, Lionel Messi's team will face Egypt, who have reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time, on July 7 at 10:00 PM Bangladesh time.