MIAMI/KANSAS CITY/DALLAS, JUL 4 (IANS): Defending champions Argentina survived a spirited fightback from World Cup debutants Cape Verde to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory after extra time in Miami, booking their place in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Lionel Scaloni’s side, led by Lionel Messi, were pushed to the limit by the resilient Blue Sharks, who twice came from behind before an own goal finally ended their fairytale run.
Argentina dominated the early exchanges, patiently probing for openings. Messi missed a tight-angle chance but made amends in the 29th minute, latching onto Lisandro Martínez’s precise pass to score his eighth consecutive World Cup goal — a record-extending feat. Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha kept his side in contention with key saves, including a mid-range effort from Enzo Fernández before halftime.
Cape Verde grew into the game after the break. Deroy Duarte tested Emiliano Martínez with a long-range strike before equalising with a driven shot across goal to make it 1-1. Argentina pressed hard, but Vozinha denied Messi twice — once in a one-on-one and again from a free kick. Roberto Lopes and the Cape Verde defence held firm, forcing extra time. In the 92nd minute, Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina’s lead, finishing at the far post after a corner. Yet Cape Verde refused to yield, and Lopes Cabral produced one of the goals of the tournament, dancing past Alexis Mac Allister before firing into the far corner to level at 2-2. Their resilience captivated the Miami crowd, but heartbreak followed in the 124th minute when a Messi corner led to a Diney Borges own goal, sealing Argentina’s passage.
Despite the defeat, Cape Verde’s fearless performance against the reigning champions earned admiration worldwide. Argentina, though tested, showed their championship pedigree to advance. They will now face Egypt in the Round of 16 in Atlanta on July 8, while Cape Verde exit with pride, having etched their name into World Cup folklore.
Colombia seal final
last-16 spot with 1-0 win over Ghana
Colombia sealed their place in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 1-0 victory over Ghana in Kansas City, extending their unbeaten run to four matches. Nestor Lorenzo’s side, who had topped Group K ahead of Portugal, proved too strong for the Black Stars, with Jhon Arias’ early strike enough to secure the final spot in the knockout stage. Colombia will now face Switzerland, who advanced after defeating Algeria 2-0, in Vancouver on July 8.
The match began with Ghana threatening through Thomas Partey’s powerful long-range effort inside two minutes, but Colombia quickly took control. Backed by a large contingent of supporters, La Sele pressed aggressively down the wings.
Their breakthrough came in the 14th minute when Luis Javier Suarez, replacing the injured Jhon Cordoba, burst down the right and squared for Arias, who calmly slotted a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
Colombia continued to dominate, with Luis Diaz firing wide and Lawrence Ati-Zigi producing a superb save to deny Johan Mojica’s header before halftime. Diaz thought he had doubled the lead in the 56th minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Moments later, he was denied again by Ati-Zigi from close range. Despite their attacking pressure, Colombia could not add to their tally, but their defensive organisation ensured Ghana failed to register a single shot on target.
The result confirmed Colombia’s unbeaten streak and underlined their credentials as a dangerous knockout contender. Ghana, meanwhile, struggled to break down their opponents and were fortunate not to concede more. Arias’ decisive goal and Colombia’s disciplined performance highlighted their balance of flair and resilience, setting up a compelling clash with Switzerland in the Round of 16.
Egypt eliminate Australia on PKs for first knockout win
Egypt scripted history at the FIFA World Cup 2026 by clinching their first-ever knockout stage victory, defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw in Dallas.
The Pharaohs, who had earlier celebrated their maiden World Cup win against New Zealand, continued their fairytale run with another landmark triumph, this time against the Socceroos.
Australia nearly struck first when Cristian Volpato’s thunderous shot rattled the crossbar in the opening minutes.
Egypt weathered the early pressure and capitalised in the 13th minute. Emam Ashour, whose initial free-kick was blocked, found himself on the end of Karim Hafez’s recycled cross and headed firmly past goalkeeper Patrick Beach for his second goal of the tournament.
Despite Australia’s attacking surges, Egyptian keeper Mostafa Shoubir held firm to preserve the lead into halftime.
The second half saw Egypt miss a golden chance to double their advantage when Omar Marmoush fired wide. Australia equalised in the 55th minute through an unfortunate own goal by Mohamed Hany, who inadvertently nodded Aiden O’Neill’s free-kick into his own net. It was Hany’s second own goal of the tournament and the 13th overall in this edition, setting a record for most own goals in a single World Cup.
Both sides pressed for a winner, with Ramy Rabia testing Beach late on, but the Australian keeper produced a superb one-handed save. Extra time failed to break the deadlock, sending the contest to penalties.
Australia faltered as Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed their spot-kicks, while Egypt converted all four attempts with composure. Mohamed Salah added flair with a cheeky Panenka, and Hossam Abdelmaguid sealed the historic win.
For Australia, it was a third knockout defeat in as many appearances, following losses to Italy in 2006 and Argentina in 2022.
For Egypt, however, the shootout victory marked a watershed moment, confirming their rise on the global stage. Coach Hossam Hassan’s unbeaten side now advances to the Round of 16 in Atlanta on July 8, where they will face Argentina.
Cape Verde exit but win hearts with historic fairytale run
Cape Verde’s historic debut at the FIFA World Cup 2026 ended in heartbreak but left an indelible mark on football history. With a population of just half a million across a small archipelago, the Blue Sharks’ qualification itself was a milestone.
Having gained independence in 1975 and fielding a national team since 1978, their steady growth culminated in becoming the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup Round of 32.
In the group stage, Cape Verde drew all three matches to finish second with three points, edging past two-time champions Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
Their reward was a clash against reigning champions Argentina in Miami, where they produced one of the tournament’s most memorable performances.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring with trademark brilliance, but Cape Verde equalised through Deroy Duarte’s strike.
Heroic saves from Vozinha and resolute defending kept them alive as the game went into extra time.
Argentina regained the lead in the 92nd minute when Lisandro Martinez converted after a Messi corner, yet Cape Verde responded with a stunning goal from Sidny Lopes Cabral, who dribbled past Alexis Mac Allister before firing into the far corner.
Their resilience and flair captivated fans worldwide. However, the fairytale ended in the 111th minute when Diney Borges’ own goal sealed Argentina’s 3-2 victory.
Despite the defeat, Cape Verde’s spirited fight against the world champions symbolised their rise from underdogs to global contenders.
Coach Bubista expressed pride in his players, noting how they pushed Argentina to extra time in a dramatic contest.
The Blue Sharks may have exited the tournament, but their courage, skill, and unity ensured they won hearts and etched their name in World Cup folklore.