Messi Sets WC Records As Argentina Avoid Sh…

Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images

Defending champions Argentina advanced to the FIFA World Cup Last 16 with an entertaining 3-2 win over Cape Verde in Miami.

Fixture: Argentina v Cape Verde
Score: 3-2
Goalscorers: Messi (29′), Martinez (92), Borges (OG 111′) / Duarte (59′), Lopes (103′)

The Island came into the clash unbeaten in their group stage phase with three straight draws, while the reigning champions were one of three teams to have won all there group stage encounters with Messi starring with six goals in that period.

It was no surprise to see Cape Verde set up with all eleven players behind the ball, just as they did against European champions Spain in their opening game, although they looked a bit more livelier on the counter in the opening 20 minutes.

However, Argentina got their reward shortly after the halftime break when Messi continued his superb campaign by latching onto a superb pass over the top by Lisandro Martinez with some great control before lobbing goalkeeper Vozinha for his eighth goal of the competition.

In doing so, Messi also became the first player to reach 20 World Cup goals to go along with another record of becoming the first player in history make 30 appearances at the tournament, as per Squawka.

At the other end of the pitch, it proved to be a very quiet first half for Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez who did not have a single save to make as the defence in front of him managed to thwart any counter-attack from entering the 18-yard area.

However, that all changed in the second half when Cape Verde stunned the reigning champions in the 59th minute when Ryan Mendes broke the right flank before picking out Deroy Duarte, who took one touch before firing into the far corner and silencing the Argentine faithful.

That goal gave the Island nation all the momentum to hold off the South American giants in the remaining stages of the second half despite the best efforts of Messi and Julian Alvarez trying to end the clash in regulation time.

Argentina had to wait until the first two minutes of extra-time to restore their lead as Martinez pounced on Alexis Mac Allister’s flick on before rifling home a powerful strike from close range, but they were pegged back for a second time after Sidny Lopes Cabral levelled matters for Cape Verde with a superb curling effort.

The defending champions would go on to grab the winning goal on 111 minutes when Cristian Romero’s header deflected off Cape Verde Diney Borges and sailed over the line to send Lionel Scolani’s to the round of 16.

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