Messi adds to World Cup goals tally as Argentina just survive Cabo Verde scare
Defending champions need extra-time before finally reaching last 16 after being pushed all the way in five-goal thriller
Reigning champions Argentina needed an extra-time own goal to overcome a Cabo Verde side with incredible levels of resilience 3-2 in a thrilling contest on Friday and secure their spot in the last 16 of the World Cup.
The Africans, playing in their first World Cup, had twice come from a goal down to silence the vast majority of the crowd of 64,478 packed into a hot and humid Hard Rock Stadium.
Six minutes into the second period of extra-time, Lionel Messi swung a corner into the box and Cristian Romero rose to head home off the arm of Cabo Verde centre-back Diney Borges and finally set up a date with Egypt in Atlanta next Tuesday.
Messi had, almost inevitably, given Argentina the lead in the 29th minute with his seventh goal of the tournament but Deroy Duarte equalised just before the hour mark.
The Blue Sharks held on to send the match into an additional half an hour before Lisandro Martinez lashed a sumptuous shot into the roof of the net in the second minute of the first period of extra-time to put Argentina ahead again.
Cabo Verde were not done yet, however, and left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral curled a beautiful shot into the top corner of the net in the 103rd minute of the contest to put the score back on level terms at 2-2.
Lopes Cabral could have equalised again after Romero’s goal but his finely struck free kick was saved by Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who had to be at his best to deny Cabo Verde in the dying minutes.