Argentina vs Cape Verde World Cup 2026 Match Live Updates: Cristian Romero scored a 110th-minute winner to send Argentina to the last 16 with a 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in Miami at the FIFA World Cup. Tiny Cape Verde, first timers at the FIFA World Cup, had dragged defending champions Argentina to extra time after both sides were deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes. In the first period of extra time, Lisandro Martinez scored in the 93rd minute, only to see Sidny Lopes Cabral score a contender for the goal of the tournament to bring the scores level at 2-2. Finally, Romero scored Argentina’s third goal.
Earlier, Lionel Messi scored in the 29th minute to give Argentina a 1-0 lead heading into half-time. But Deroy Duarte scored in the 59th minute to restore parity, and it’s stayed that way till the 90th minute. Messi, who had become the only player in history to play 30 FIFA World Cup games at kick-off, also became the first player to cross the 20-goal mark at FIFA World Cups. This was Messi’s 7th goal in the ongoing edition of the World Cup, which makes him the Golden Boot leader ahead of Kylian Mbappe. The goal also means he’s scored in his last 8 appearances at the FIFA World Cup.
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1 Lionel Messi (Argentina) 7 goals 0 assists
2 Kylian Mbappé (France): 6 goals 2 assists
3 Erling Haaland (Norway) 5 goals 0 assists
4 Harry Kane (England) 5 goals 0 assist
5 Ousmane Dembélé (France) 4 goals 2 assists
6 Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) 4 goals 1 assist
7 Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) 4 goals 1 assist
8 Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) 4 goals 1 assist
It’s a David vs Goliath clash between defending champions Argentina and Cape Verde, the smallest nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Argentina had thumped all their opponents so far, brushing aside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Messi has scored seven of the team’s 10 goals. Cape Verde, meanwhile, have conceded just two goals in the group stages while staying undefeated through the group stages. It’s literally a clash between an unstoppable force and an immovable object.
Norway, England, France, Spain, Brazil and Portugal have all clinched spots in the round of 16; Argentina and Messi need a win over Cape Verde to join them. The Golden Boot is something Messi has never won. He finished second in that race with seven goals at the 2022 World Cup, one behind Mbappé, and tied for third with four goals at the 2014 World Cup.
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Six goals each, but Mbappe leads Messi in Golden Boot race thanks to crucial assist rule
FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi in joint lead. (AP Photo)
The FIFA World Cup 2026 has truly been a goalfest, with one of the most exciting Golden Boot races unfolding across the Americas.
All the expected names have delivered for their respective teams as the fight for the world title intensifies. The list of leading goal scorers is led by two giants of contemporary football – Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
Legendary Argentine Messi averages two goals per match at this edition, with six goals to his name in the three games he has played so far.
