Argentina avoided the biggest upset in World Cup history after Diney Borges’ own-goal in extra-time rescued a 3-2 win over Cape Verde to book their place in the last 16 of the tournament.
The lowest-ranked nation ever to qualify for the knockouts had the odds stacked against them but pushed the reigning champions to their very limits and the brink of elimination in one of the great World Cup games.
It looked to be business as usual after Lionel Messi’s sublime opener but the first shock came when Deroy Duarte squeezed his effort into the far corner just before the hour mark to draw his side level.
A sloppy and laboured showing from Argentina then followed to see out regular time, before they thought their blushes had been spared when Lisandro Martinez whipped his effort into the top right corner in the second minute of extra time.
Sidny Lopes Cabral then stunned the entire Miami Stadium – and footballing world – when he curled in arguably the goal of the tournament to dramatically draw Cape Verde level in the 103rd minute.
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Tension began to fester for Argentina as time went on – as well as belief for Cape Verde that they could pull off the impossible – until Cristian Romero’s header from a corner deflected off Borges to rescue victory for Lionel Scaloni’s side.
They will now face Egypt in the last 16 of the tournament, but the story lies with Cape Verde despite the defeat.
A country with a population of just over 600,000, a fifth of Buenos Aires, bowing out of the tournament with their heads held incredibly high.
They arrived as a relatively unknown entity for their first appearance on the biggest stage of them all, but they leave with unforgettable memories and performances against Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay and Argentina that will be etched in history forever.
The key moments from Miami…
29: GOAL! Messi opens the scoring with sublime touch and finish to settle Argentina nerves
59: SHOCK EQUALISER! Duarte squeezes his effort into the far corner to draw Cape Verde level
73: STUNNING SAVE! Vozinha makes one of eight saves to keep Messi’s free-kick out
90+5: ANOTHER SAVE! Messi’s free-kick deflects into the path of Vozinha, who denies him again
92: GOAL! L. Martinez whips shot into top right corner to restore Argentina’s lead
103: SPEECHLESS! S. Cabral curls goal of the tournament contender in to draw Cape Verde level again
111: GOAL! Romero’s header deflects in off Diney to break Cape Verde hearts
One of the great World Cup games in pictures!
Lionel Messi scores the opening goal for Argentina against Cape Verde at the World Cup
Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal against Argentina
Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup match against Cape Verde in Miami
Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts as Cape Verde players celebrate their second goal scored by Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral
Cape Verde’s Diney Borges’s own-goal which won the game for Argentina
Analysis: Argentina win but Cape Verde grab the headlines
Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe:
A truly extraordinary performance from Cape Verde. They bow out of the World Cup but will undoubtedly be the story of the tournament.
Relentless defensively to keep Argentina at bay – buoyed by yet another heroic showing from Vozinha in goal with eight saves on the evening – and fearless going forward.
Sidny Lopes Cabral’s effort was enough to win goal of the tournament on quality alone but given the circumstances and opponent, it will go down as one of the great strikes on the stage and will be remembered for years to come.
As will the team, who will be welcomed back as heroes and inspire generations to come.
If a case needs to be made regarding the expanded format this summer and whether it was a success, look no further than the Cape Verde fairytale in USA, Canada and Mexico.
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