2026 WORLD CUP UPDATE: • Argentina survives Cape Verde scare after dramatic extra-time own goal By Maxwell Kumoye A heartbreaking 111th-minute own goal by Diney Borges spared defending champions Argentina from one of the biggest upsets in FIFA World Cup history as they edged heroic debutants Cape Verde 3-2 in a thrilling Round of 32 clash. Ranked 64th in the world, Cape Verde twice came from behind to level the scores against the world's second-ranked side, producing a fearless display that pushed Lionel Messi and his teammates to the limit. With the match tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, the African debutants forced the holders into extra time. Argentina regained the lead in the 92nd minute when Lisandro Martínez pounced on Alexis Mac Allister's flick from a corner and fired home. Cape Verde refused to surrender. In the 103rd minute, Sidny Lopes Cabral produced one of the goals of the tournament, cutting in from the left before curling a sensational strike over Emiliano Martínez and into the top corner to make it 2-2. Cabral nearly completed one of the greatest World Cup shocks four minutes from the end of extra time, but Emiliano Martínez produced a brilliant save to deny him. With penalties looming, disaster struck for Cape Verde in the 111th minute when Diney Borges inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, sending Argentina through in dramatic fashion. Argentina had appeared to be cruising after Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute. The captain brilliantly controlled a long pass from Lisandro Martínez before rifling an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net for his 20th World Cup goal. But the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup knockout stage refused to be overawed. Deroy Duarte levelled in the second half, timing his run perfectly before squeezing his shot through Lisandro Martínez's legs and beyond Emiliano Martínez from a tight angle, sparking emotional celebrations among the Cape Verde supporters. Although their fairytale run ended in cruel fashion, Cape Verde earned widespread admiration for a courageous performance that pushed the defending champions to the brink. Despite the heartbreaking defeat, the tournament debutants left an unforgettable mark on the World Cup with one of the competition's most spirited displays.

Published –

By Maxwell Kumoye

 


A heartbreaking 111th-minute own goal by Diney Borges spared defending champions Argentina from one of the biggest upsets in FIFA World Cup history as they edged heroic debutants Cape Verde 3-2 in a thrilling Round of 32 clash.

Ranked 64th in the world, Cape Verde twice came from behind to level the scores against the world's second-ranked side, producing a fearless display that pushed Lionel Messi. 

• Mbappe penalty sends France past stubborn Paraguay into World Cup quarter-finals

and his teammates to the limit.


With the match tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, the African debutants forced the holders into extra time. Argentina regained the lead in the 92nd minute when Lisandro Martínez pounced on Alexis Mac Allister's flick from a corner and fired home.

Cape Verde refused to surrender. In the 103rd minute, Sidny Lopes Cabral produced one of the goals of the tournament, cutting in from the left before curling a sensational strike over Emiliano Martínez and into the top corner to make it 2-2.

Cabral nearly completed one of the greatest World Cup shocks four minutes from the end of extra time, but Emiliano Martínez produced a brilliant save to deny him.

With penalties looming, disaster struck for Cape Verde in the 111th minute when Diney Borges inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, sending Argentina through in dramatic fashion.

Argentina had appeared to be cruising after Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute. 

The captain brilliantly controlled a long pass from Lisandro Martínez before rifling an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net for his 20th World Cup goal.

But the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup knockout stage refused to be overawed. 

Deroy Duarte levelled in the second half, timing his run perfectly before squeezing his shot through Lisandro Martínez's legs and beyond Emiliano Martínez from a tight angle, sparking emotional celebrations among the Cape Verde supporters.

Although their fairytale run ended in cruel fashion, Cape Verde earned widespread admiration for a courageous performance that pushed the defending champions to the brink. 


Despite the heartbreaking defeat, the tournament ebutants left an unforgettable mark on the World Cup with one of the competition's most spirited displays.

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