Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde
Updated
Argentina won: Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde in the World Cup (Round 1/16) on Fri, 3 Jul 2026 at Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida. Argentina goals: Lionel Messi 29', Lisandro Martínez 92', Diney Borges 111' (og). Cape Verde goals: Deroy Duarte 59', Sidny Lopes Cabral 103'. Expected goals: 2.26-0.47. Possession: 64-36. Player of the match: Lionel Messi (8.7).
Match report
Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2
Argentina narrowly beat Cape Verde 3-2 at Miami Stadium on Friday 3 July in the World Cup.
Lionel Messi put Argentina ahead on 29' (1-0), Deroy Duarte levelled for Cape Verde on 59' (1-1), Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina's lead on 92' (2-1), Sidny Lopes Cabral levelled for Cape Verde on 103' (2-2) and an own goal by Diney Borges restored Argentina's lead on 111' (3-2).
A late own goal proved decisive.
Argentina had 64% of the ball, shots were 22-16 (10-5 on target) and expected goals finished 2.26-0.47. Argentina were the better side on chances, too.
Lionel Messi (Argentina) was player of the match with an 8.7 rating.
Attendance: 64,478. Referee: Drew Thomas Fischer.
Match stats
| Argentina | Cape Verde | |
|---|---|---|
| Ball possession | 64 | 36 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 2.26 | 0.47 |
| Total shots | 22 | 16 |
| Shots on target | 10 | 5 |
| Touches in opposition box | 52 | 16 |
| Big chances | 3 | 0 |
| Big chances missed | 2 | 0 |
| Accurate passes | 779 (92%) | 409 (86%) |
| Yellow cards | 1 | 1 |
| Corners | 8 | 8 |
| Total shots | 22 | 16 |
| Shots off target | 5 | 5 |
| Shots on target | 10 | 5 |
| Blocked shots | 7 | 6 |
| Hit woodwork | 0 | 0 |
| Shots inside box | 15 | 6 |
Lineups
Argentina (4-4-2): Emiliano Martínez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Thiago Almada, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez
Cape Verde (4-1-4-1): Vozinha, Steven Moreira, Roberto Lopes, Diney Borges, Sidny Lopes Cabral, Kevin Pina, Ryan Mendes, Laros Duarte, Deroy Duarte, Jovane Cabral, Nuno da Costa
Key events
- 29' · Goal · Lionel Messi (Argentina)
- 59' · Goal · Deroy Duarte (Cape Verde)
- 63' · Substitution · Julián Álvarez for Lautaro Martínez (Argentina)
- 63' · Substitution · Nicolás González for Thiago Almada (Argentina)
- 67' · Substitution · Jamiro Monteiro for Laros Duarte (Cape Verde)
- 67' · Substitution · Dailon Livramento for Nuno da Costa (Cape Verde)
- 68' · Yellow card · Kevin Pina (Cape Verde)
- 80' · Substitution · Willy Semedo for Ryan Mendes (Cape Verde)
- 80' · Substitution · Hélio Varela for Jovane Cabral (Cape Verde)
- 84' · Substitution · Leandro Paredes for Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina)
- 85' · Substitution · Nicolás Tagliafico for Facundo Medina (Argentina)
- 92' · Goal · Lisandro Martínez (Argentina)
- 100' · Substitution · Gilson Benchimol for Kevin Pina (Cape Verde)
- 100' · Substitution · Yannick Semedo for Deroy Duarte (Cape Verde)
- 103' · Goal · Sidny Lopes Cabral (Cape Verde)
- 104' · Substitution · Gonzalo Montiel for Nahuel Molina (Argentina)
- 111' · Goal · Diney Borges (Argentina)
- 115' · Yellow card · Gonzalo Montiel (Argentina)
All-time head-to-head
Questions
Who won Argentina vs Cape Verde?
Argentina won, 3-2 (World Cup) on Fri, 3 Jul 2026.
When and where is Argentina vs Cape Verde?
Fri, 3 Jul 2026, 22:00 UTC at Miami Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, World Cup.