Avoiding what would have been the greatest, most shocking upset in World Cup history, Argentina earned a hectic, uninspiring 3-2 win over Cabo Verde in extra time in the round of 32 in Miami on Friday.
The World Cup champs put forth a lackluster, complacent performance where they seemed content with their 1-0 lead off a goal from Lionel Messi in the first half, only to see the Cinderellas of the World Cup equalize just before the mark on a narrow effort from Deroy Duarte.
Both teams would score in the first part of extra time, Argentina getting a strike from center back Lisandro Martinez in the 93rd minute, only to see Sidny Cabral score the equalizer 11 minutes later in what will surely end up being the goal of the World Cup, putting an incredible curling effort past Dibu Martinez from the corner of the box.
In extra time, Cristian Romero headed a corner kick which glanced off a Cabo Verde and into the back of the net to give Argentina the narrow win, setting up a date with Egypt on Tuesday in Atlanta.
Argentina survived. That's the result. But the headline? The real story from Hard Rock Stadium on Friday night is what Cabo Verde nearly did to them.
The Blue Sharks, from a nation of roughly 500,000 people and playing in their first-ever World Cup, took the defending champions to extra time and had Argentines all over the world sweating. Romero's headed effort off a corner kick sealed the win for Argentina after Sidny Lopes Cabral's stunning equalizer had leveled the match at 2-2 in extra time. By the time it ended, Argentine players were dropping to the turf with cramps in the Miami humidity, 120 minutes into an exhausting night that will serve as a lesson learned -- nobody can be underestimated, a lesson many figured they would have learned from four years ago after a shocking loss to Saudi Arabia to start the 2022 tournament, a tournament which they want on to win.
This is what the expanded, 48-team World Cup format was supposed to produce, and now we're watching it happen in real time. Skeptics, including myself, worried a bigger field would water down the tournament with lopsided blowouts. You can make the argument the group stage is watered down, and I'm not a fan of third-place teams ever making it through. But, it's handed small federations a stage and will continue to do so for editions to come.
It's also important to remember that Cabo Verde didn't back into this moment. The Blue Sharks reached the knockout stage by going unbeaten in the group phase. Drawing Spain? Incredible. Getting through the group? Shocking.
Taking Argentina to the break? One of the great stories of this, or any, World Cup.
They will serve as inspiration for any newcomers to the tournament for years to come and provide hope to all those dreaming of qualifying. They deserved to be on this stage, and they deserved to share the pitch with the reigning World Cup winners.
Argentina move on to face Egypt in the round of 16. Cabo Verde go home. But if this tournament's history remembers one thing about the Blue Sharks, it won't be the scoreline. It'll be that for 120 minutes in Miami, where a nation the size of Rhode Island showed more than anyone could have ever imagined.
Pushed to the absolute limit by Cabo Verde, Argentina survives to make it to the round of 16 thanks to a late header by Cristian Romero. They'll now face Egypt in Atlanta on only four days rest. Both teams have had to play 120 minutes today so changes may be needed coming into that match.
Cabo Verde are asking all the questions as Argentina bunkers late in the match, but do they have another goal in them?
Vozinha isn't the only star keeper in this game, as Emiliano Martinez stopped a strong free kick from Sidny Lopes Cabral. It's only the second save that the Argentine keeper has made during this game, but it's certainly a massive one.
If he can't get back into the mix, Argentina are out of subs in the match. Cabo Verde are on the offensive, and now Alexis Mac Allister has also gone down. This has been an intense match, and as we're in the 114th minute, that is taking a toll.
Nico Gonzalez is stopped in the box, leading to a corner kick which finds the head of Cristian Romero in the box. Argentina are back in front, but we've seen this before; there's more to come in this game.
No one can believe what is happening right now. There are 15 minutes to go before penalties, and it's truly anyone's game at this stage. Even when going behind, Cabo Verde has played without fear, and it has paid off.
Now the ball falls to Messi, and the Cabo Verde keeper is aware yet again to make his eighth save of the match. This game has everything.
Cabral! Curler golazo from the corner of the box! Goal of his life! 2-2! Wow!!!!
Argentina take the lead quickly in extra time! Molina does well to win a corner with a strong, low cross, and on the corner, Lisandro Martinez has enough time to collect it at the far post, turn, and line up a shot that he rips into the top of the goal! 2-1!
Regulation has finished tied at 1-1 with the goals of Messi and Duarte, and extra time is coming.
A really great free kick for Messi at the top of the box is hit poorly, and Vozinha saves it with ease. Poorly taken, low to the middle of the goal.
Free kick for Argentina at the top of the box, and Messi takes it quick and nearly beats Vozinha! The ball almost finds the upper corner, but the goalkeeper is quick to react to the quickly taken free kick and makes the save.
1-1!!! And it's deserved! Argentina are playing much too lax, continue to turn the ball over, and it is 1-1! Deroy Duarte finishes from a narrow angle to pull even.
First chance from Cabo Verde comes from outside the box, and a low shot with power is stopped well by Dibu. Argentina sluggish so far.
The second half is underway and with a similar vibe to the first, with Argentina passing the ball around and taking it really slowly.
Well, Argentina decided to kick the ball around for the final, like, five minutes, and didn't even threaten to attack, painfully ending a half that was pretty uneventful aside from Messi's goal. Won't be getting that time in my life back, sadly. Could have brewed a coffee or taking the dog for a quick walk.
The Africans entered this game spending only 16 minutes of the World Cup trailing. Now, they face an uphill battle here.
1-0 just before the half-hour mark. A fantastic ball over the top from Lisandro Martinez, and Messi settles the ball about seven yards out, and he lifts it over Vozinha and into the net!
Messi hits it, curling from left to right as usual, but it falls comfortably to Vozinha. That never looked threatening once it left his first.
First chance comes from Argentina as Messi fires a low shot wide from inside the box. He didn't hit that well at all.
Argentina are seeing most of the ball, controlling possession and trying to break down the Cabo Verde defense. Both teams trying to feel each other out so far.
Game on!!!
Time for the playing of the national anthems, and then the game will be underway!
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Facundo Medina, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Thiago Almada, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez.
Cabo Verde: Vozinha, Sindy Lopes Cabral, Diney Borges, Roberto Lopes, Steven Moreira, Kevin PinaLinini, Jovane Cabral, Laros Duarte, Deroy Durarte, Ryan Mendes, Nuno Da Costa
Australia and Egypt just wrapped up, and it's the Africans who are through on penalties. Each team scored in regulation but neither could in extra time, resulting in spot kicks where Egypt were perfect, winning 4-2. They get the winners of this game in Atlanta in the round of 16.
Lineups should be here in moments. Argentina return to the stadium where they won their most recent Copa America, and you'd have to figure they will be plenty of changes from the squad that beat Jordan. Starters were rested there, and we should see a lineup more similar to who faced Austria and Algeria.
Argentina: Emiliano Martinez, Facundo Medina, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Thiago Almada, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez
Cabo Verde: Vozinha, Sindy Lopes Cabral, Diney Borges, Roberto Lopes, Steven Moreira, Kevin Pina, Jovane Cabral, Jamiro Monteiro, Deroy Durarte, Ryan Mendes, Dailon Livramento
