Cristian Romero jumped highest to break Cape Verde hearts as his glancing header deflected off defender Diney Borges to make it 3-2 for the defending Champions, Argentina in an uncomfortable victory that saw them advancing to the World Cup Round of 16.
Argentina were given a real scare by Cape Verde as they surrendered the lead twice, and needed extra time to finally gain daylight from a Cape Verde side that, in truth, deserved so much more.
Early threats from minnows Cape Verde were evident. Pretty expansive in their set up, they tested Emiliano Martinez inside the first 10 minutes. However, Argentina soon found their flow. They are not an explosive attack in this iteration. This is a more measured side that works angles, keeps possession, and strikes at the right time.
And strike they did. A long ball got it done, in the end. Lisandro Martinez lofted one over the backline. Messi did the rest, bringing the ball down quite wonderfully and poking home.
There were further chances. Enzo Fernandez was cleverly denied twice. Messi constantly threatened. But 1-0 was all the lead Argentina had at the break.
It wasn’t enough. Cape Verde might have crumbled, but they continued to attack. An Argentina collapse gave them a deserved equaliser. Enzo Fernandez failed to track Deroy Duarte. The attacking midfielder collected, turned and fired into the bottom corner.
Things got a bit chaotic after that. Argentina, usually so calm, started to worry. Passes became frantic. Mistakes crept into their game. Vozinha, hero of Cape Verde’s opening draw with Spain, stood tall. He denied Messi twice, first from a one-on-one and then from a free-kick in second-half stoppage time.
Extra time started well for Argentina. Lisandro Martinez settled nerves by bagging their second, a lovely smack into the roof of the net.
However, Cape Verde had a response again. Sidny Lopes Cabral cut onto his right foot and whipped a ball into the top corner from an improbable angle to knot the game at two-all.
But La Albiceleste were more clinical. Messi whipped a corner right onto Romero’s head, and his precised nodder was deflected home by Cape Verde’s defender Borges with minutes to spare.
Late Cape Verde pressure was seen off. This was so, so close to disaster: the FIFA world No. 1 rated side being pushed to the brink by No. 67.
For now, Argentina have survived and their World Cup dreams are still very much alive.
