Argentina edge Cape Verde in extra time, Egypt await
Argentina scrape past Cape Verde, Egypt next
Argentina are through to the quarter-finals. Barely. Cape Verde pushed your team all the way to extra time before an own goal in the final minutes ended it (2). The exact scoreline is not confirmed, but the manner of it left everyone talking.
Messi did not sugarcoat it. "At the World Cup names don't count, you win by suffering," he said afterwards (5).
Sorín: never count this team out
Former Argentina captain Juan Pablo Sorín was emphatic. "A esta Selección nunca la podés dar por muerta", you can never count this Argentina team out (6). He was talking about the Cape Verde performance, and plenty of fans feel the same way.
Ancelotti surprised by the struggle
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti watched it unfold. "Quem diria que a Argentina iria sofrer contra Cabo Verde?", who would have said Argentina would suffer against Cape Verde? (4). The near-upset has become a talking point across the tournament.
Cape Verde celebrate their near-miracle
Cape Verde came within minutes of taking Argentina to penalties. Their government and fans are planning to honour the squad when they return home (8). They lost on an own goal deep in extra time (2).
Egypt await on Tuesday
Argentina face Egypt in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, July 7, at 18:00 (1). The supercomputer now gives Argentina a 17.6% chance of winning the whole tournament, up after France's win and Germany's exit (3). Egypt stand in the way of a likely quarter-final against Australia or Egypt.
Messi lifting MLS, says Garza
Former US international Greg Garza believes Messi's World Cup performances with Argentina are boosting MLS back home. "Lionel Messi representing MLS and also playing for the Argentinian national team in the World Cup is unbelievable," Garza said (7). Messi remains the story of this tournament.
Fan-reaktioner
Cape Verde have won the internet. Argentina fans on Reddit are full of praise for how their opponents played, with heart, courage, and sportsmanship. "They won over countless new fans," one supporter wrote, noting Argentina's own players were giving Cape Verde praise after the final whistle. Read the full discussion here.
Sources
- 1. sportsidioten.no — Argentina – Egypt | 8-delsfinale Fotball VM 2026
- 2. cmjornal.pt — Cabo Verde escreve página de ouro na história dos Mundiais
- 3. ge.globo.com — Chances de título: França vence mais uma e vai a 26,6%, Argentina sobe, e Brasil segue em 5º lugar
- 4. abola.pt — Ancelotti: «Quem diria que a Argentina iria sofrer contra Cabo Verde?»
- 5. repubblica.it — Messi: “Al Mondiale i nomi non contano, si vince soffrendo”
- 6. ole.com.ar — Sorín, con Olé: "A esta Selección nunca la podés dar por muerta"
- 7. fourfourtwo.com — Match-winning Lionel Messi performances at this World Cup can only help the growth of MLS
- 8. marca.com — ¡Y eso que perdieron!<br>