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It was a thrilling and unforgettable FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 match as underdog Cape Verde narrowly lost, 3-2, to the reigning champion, Argentina, on Friday.
Even in defeat, the performance by Cape Verde, a tiny island nation off the western coast of Africa, will stand as one of the most remarkable stories of the tournament, or any, World Cup.
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Lionel Messi opened the scoring in sublime fashion after 29 minutes, becoming the first player to make 30 World Cup appearances in the familiar surroundings of Miami Stadium.
In doing so, Messi also extended his own record of scoring in eight consecutive World Cup games and opened up a two-goal cushion once more over France’s Kylian Mbappe in the battle to be the competition’s all-time top goal scorer.
But Cape Verde, playing in a knockout game at their first World Cup, caught the defending champions cold through Deroy Duarte’s well-executed leveller.
Lisandro Martinez smashed high into the roof of the goal two minutes into extra time, only for Sidny Cabral to restore parity again with a goal-of-the-tournament contender.
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Scaloni could only wipe his furrowed brow with relief when Messi’s corner was turned in for an own goal by the unfortunate Borges.
For minnows Cape Verde, it was a cruel end to a memorable first World Cup, and, even though they exit without winning a game, they can hold their heads high for the performance they produced against an elite opponent.
8 Comments
Cabo Verde!!!
No fear, no inferiority complex.
No big stars, small population, but them no send anybody papa.
They enter the field and play you to a standstill. Dem no care who you be!
African countries, are you watching? Nigeria, where you dey?
A country whose population no reach Surulere population for Lagos is showing Africa the way.
Before this world cup, not many pipo know what is Cape Verde. They can’t point them out in a map. But now, everybody knows them. And everybody fears and respects them.
This Cape Verde guys have pushed African football to new heights. Congrats to the players, the coach for instilling this warrior mentality in his boys, and of course their football federation. If they were anything like NFF Onigbese, Cape Verde would not even have qualified for the world cup.
Messi and company must be breathing huge sighs of relief. it seemed possible that Messi would be playing his last world cup game today, as CV looked ready to kick them out of the competition.
The Argies have a story to tell when they get back home. They will tell the story of a tiny African nation that almost finished them!
The Nigerian players you asked for are presently partying up and down, the same Argentina that has been our eternal enemy whenever we played each other either in senior WC or age grade, not sure we’ve ever won Argentina in a proper competition since Atalanta 96 final.
Cabo verde played them to standstill that Argentina have to played defensively, omoh they almost nailed it.
Remakable
@pompei, u said it all. What makes them stand out above all other African teams that hv ever been to to world cup is their mentality. No sign of inferiority complex. Something other teams with superior players in terms of skill and experience lack. I swear if the capverdiam team had attacking quality like Nigeria with such believe they showed they would beaten Argentina .. Ivory coast, Senegal, Ghana and Especially Nigeria must learn from this.
My own is, all the so call Africa giant shd be careful, with this mentality, I see the Cabo verde guys winning the AFCON anytime soon.
You are so right.
The highest point Nigeria has ever recorded against Argentina is draw at Ryhad 95 in Saudi Arabia. That was when Nigeria had her golden generation of players.
Am not sure any African country has ever trouble Argentina like Cape vadians did yesterday and Agentina will remember this in a long time.
To our over hype and below average mediocre players over to of you guys, awon omobuburu ( wiked children)
Every country has a style suitable to the type of talent available to them.
Nigeria play on the front foot regardless the opposition.Whereas the likes of Cape Verde would play low block due to inferior quality or talent available.
Because playing 5 men in front of already 4 static defenders,relying on occasional counters to score makes scoring harder for superior opponents,leading to astonishing results!
So it’s easier for Argentina,France,England ect to score against an attacking team than one playing low block.
Cape Verde cannot do well at the Afcon playing low block,should they decide to be brave,they will open up for teams with superior talent to destroy them.