Cape Verde’s remarkable debut campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended in heartbreak after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time defeat to defending champions Argentina in the Round of 32.
The tournament debutants pushed the reigning world champions to the limit before an unfortunate own goal by Diney in extra time sealed their elimination.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina with his seventh goal of the tournament, giving the Albiceleste an early advantage.
Cape Verde responded strongly after the interval, with Deroy Duarte restoring parity 14 minutes into the second half to force extra time.
Argentina regained the lead through Lisandro Martinez, but Sidny Lopes Cabral produced a superb curling finish to level the contest once again.
However, Cape Verde’s spirited resistance came to a cruel end when Diney’s own goal handed Argentina a place in the Round of 16.
With the defeat, Cape Verde became the seventh African nation to exit the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joining Tunisia, South Africa, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria and DR Congo.
