Argentina vs Cape Verde FIFA World Cup results: Argentina beats Cape Verde in overtime classic | Football News

The defending champion Argentina faced a fierce challenge, but defeated Cape Verde 3-2 in overtime and advanced to the top 16 of the World Cup. (AP Photo)

Defending champions Argentina survived a thrilling scare to beat debutants Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time on Saturday to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup after an epic battle that pushed the defending champions to their absolute limits.In a play destined to become folklore, the Blue Sharks, a small island nation off the coast of West Africa, refused to buckle under the weight of South Florida’s pro-Argentina crowd. A brutal own goal in the 111th minute finally shattered their resistance and Cristian Romero’s thumping header deflected off Cape Verde’s Dini Borges into the net, sealing Albiceleste’s place in the quarter-finals.Previously, it was the incomparable Messi who set the stadium on fire in the 29th minute. Messi sprinted behind the defence, received a lofted pass from Lisandro Martinez, took a brilliant first touch and then curled a clinical shot into the back of the net. The goal marked Messi’s 20th career World Cup goal, breaking the record and moving him to the top of the Golden Boot list with seven goals at this tournament, ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappe.However, Cape Verde’s fairytale journey, based on the heroics of 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha who made 10 saves, is far from over. DeRoy Duarte surprised the defending champions with a clever equalizer in regulation time. Lisandro Martinez briefly restored Argentina’s lead in the 103rd minute as extra time began, but Sidney Lopez Cabral hit back almost immediately with a stunning equalizer that left the entire stadium in disbelief.Ultimately, champions’ courage carried Argentina through the chaos, with goalkeeper heroics in the final seconds holding off a desperate Cape Verde charge.While Africa bowed out after a historic campaign that included eye-popping group stage results against Spain and Uruguay, Argentina kept going. The world champions travel to Atlanta on Tuesday for a high-stakes last-16 clash with Egypt, who advanced by beating Australia in a penalty shootout.