Inter Miami CF captain Leo Messi became the all-time leading scorer in FIFA World Cup history with his 20th career goal, powering defending champions Argentina to a 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde to advance to the Round of 16.
Messi broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, bringing down a long ball from Lisandro Martínez inside the box before burying a left-footed finish past the Cape Verde goalkeeper. The goal extended his tournament-leading tally to seven this edition and made him the first player in history to score in eight consecutive FIFA World Cup games. Messi also reached 30 World Cup appearances, another record — no other player in the competition’s history has matched the mark.
Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul started alongside Messi in Argentina’s XI, which featured Emiliano Martínez in goal, a back four of Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez and Facundo Medina, and a midfield of De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Thiago Almada. Lautaro Martínez partnered Messi up front.
Cape Verde equalized through Deroy Duarte in the 59th minute, and the match went to extra time after Messi came close twice — once from inside the box in the 62nd minute and again on a free kick in the 72nd. Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina’s lead in the 92nd minute with a powerful left-footed strike off a corner kick, but Sidny Lopes Cabral leveled for Cape Verde again in the 103rd minute. An own goal from Cape Verde’s Diney Borges in the 111th minute proved decisive, giving Argentina the 3-2 lead that held through the final whistle.
Argentina dominated possession at 64% to Cape Verde’s 36% and outshot their opponents 20-15, though Cape Verde’s goalkeeper made eight saves to Argentina’s three. Both sides earned eight corners, while Argentina committed 13 fouls to Cape Verde’s 12.
Argentina will face Egypt in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, July 7 at 12 p.m. ET at Atlanta Stadium.