World Cup 2026: Argentina leads Cape Verde 2-1 in extra time

Defender Lisandro Martínez scored the 2-1 for Argentina against Cape Verde, after the match went into extra time following a 1-1 tie in regulation. At the start of the first half of extra time, the Manchester United man received the ball inside the box after a corner by Lionel Messi and slammed it into the back of the net. It is Martínez’s first goal for the national team. In the first half of regulation, Argentine captain Lionel Messi gave the Albiceleste a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute. Lisandro Martínez floated a pass over the defense for Messi to run onto, and the Argentine star put it in the back of the net after controlling inside the box. It was Messi’s seventh goal in the tournament, as he extends his lead as World Cup all-time goalscorer record holder to 20. In the second half, Cape Verde midfielder Deroy Duarte tied the game in the 59th minute. Winger Ryan Mendes put a low cross for Duarte, who put a point-blank shot past Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez to tie the game. It’s only the second goal Argentina has conceded in the World Cup After a stellar group stage that saw the Albiceleste storm to the group top spot with three wins, eight goals scored and just one conceded, head coach Lionel Scaloni’s team went into the knockout stage in good spirits. “We’re feeling positive after winning the first three games, mainly because we’ve been able to have everyone play,” Scaloni said in his press conference after Argentina beat Jordan 3-1. Scaloni added he’d “be lying” if he said that Cape Verde isn’t a good team that will give Argentina a tough time. “In this World Cup, we’ve seen that you have to be careful,” he added. “They’re a good team that can play fast and has some good players. Some people may underestimate them, but I can assure you they’re a good team.” The match is a historic one for Scaloni, who’s taking charge of his 100th game as Argentina head coach. He’s now just 24 behind the all-time record holder, Guillermo Stabile, who coached the Albiceleste between 1940 and 1960 and won six Copa Americas. Cover image: FIFA World Cup Twitter