Argentina survive Cabo Verde scare: Wonder goal, penalty shout and other talking points | FIFA World Cup 2026

Lionel Messi and Argentina were in a battle for the ages. They well and truly felt it and will not easily forget it. Cabo Verde coach Bubista had said that the clash with the defending world champions would be the game of their lives and his team played like it. The Blue Sharks’ approach was exemplified by Vozinha’s fearlessness on the ball. The 40-year-old has been one of the most confident goalkeepers in possession at this World Cup and he once again tested the limits of his own ball-playing ability against Argentina.

This was crucial, as Vozinha inviting the press gave his teammates more room to manoeuvre. And they made good use of that space to push Messi and co. to their limits. In the end, they just did not have the experience to level for a third time. But, leading up to their equaliser in regulation time, Cabo Verde had been the better team with La Albiceleste handing them the momentum. Their spirited display has given football fans plenty to digest. So, here is a look at the major talking points.

Two-man team?

Only a few Argentina players have played to their potential at this World Cup so far. Apart from Messi, the most consistent performer has been centre-back Lisandro Martinez. The Manchester United player was at his best once again against Cabo Verde. After playing a fantastic long ball for Messi to latch on to and score the opener, Martinez was once again in the thick of things in extra time. He produced a sublime finish after the ball fell to him from a corner and also made an important block late on. Other players like Rodrigo De Paul, who have done well for the defending champions at this tournament, underperformed on the day and will need to step up if Argentina are to complete a monumental title defence.

Men in the middle

Argentina midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez, both top-class, are yet to get going at this World Cup. This was laid bare for all to see when a Cabo Verde midfield runner, Deroy Duarte, was free in the Argentine box to score in the 59th minute. Mac Allister and Fernandez failed to take control of the midfield at the start of the second half, giving Cabo Verde the opportunity to express themselves in the attack. This changed once the Africans scored, but the two midfielders need to play more on the front foot when Argentina are leading in games to effectively keep opponents at bay.

The penalty shout

La Albiceleste had a penalty appeal turned down towards the end of regulation time after the ball struck Cabo Verde centre-back Pico Lopes on the hand. At first viewing, it seemed like a clear penalty as, though it was unintentional, the hand had changed the ball’s goal-bound trajectory. However, the ball had come off Argentine centre-back Cristian Romero’s head on to Lopes’s head before striking his hand. Therefore, it was not a handball. And, despite the allegations of referees favouring Argentina, on this occasion at least, the officials made the right call.

Cabral magic

There are two Cabrals in this Cabo Verde squad. And, winger Jovane Cabral was easily the most recognisable name in the team ahead of the World Cup. The No. 7 had spent six years at Sporting Lisbon, winning the Portuguese league in 2020-21. But, he has so far failed to impress at the World Cup. The other Cabral, no relation to Jovane, is full-back Sidny Lopes Cabral.

Last summer, he moved from a German third-tier team to Portuguese first division side Estrela da Amadora, who Jovane had joined in 2024. Sidny did so well during the first half of the season that he caught the eye of Jose Mourinho, then at Benfica. The Lisbon-based giants signed him for €6 million, plus a potential €2.5 in add-ons. He played 12 games scoring one goal and when Mourinho left for Real Madrid, Benfica sold Sidny to Turkish club Trabzonspor for €10 million.

That seems like a bargain now, after his stunning goal. On the left-wing, without meaningful support in the final third, Sidny, who can play on both the left and the right of the defence as an attacking full-back, cut in on his right and unleashed a curler that gave Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez no chance. It was impressive enough that he found the top corner from that position, but it was even more impressive that he found his loved ones in the crowd during the frenzy that followed.

Technically, running into the crowd and hugging your loved ones is a yellow-card offence—excessive celebration. But, thankfully, Canadian referee Drew Fischer, who had a good game of officiating, decided to use common sense and did not book Sidny.

The heartbreak

Argentine players, including Messi, were starting to look tired. It seemed as though the match would go to penalties. Argentina may still have had the advantage thanks to the technical superiority of their players as well as the dominance of Martinez in shootouts. But, Vozinha, too, was playing like a man possessed and it would have been an interesting watch. However, there was too much quality on the pitch for it to go to a shootout. Messi produced a fine corner-kick, Romero rose to head. It would have been tough for Vozinha to save it, but he seemed to have made the right movement to do so.

Then, inexplicably at first glance, the ball seemed to drift past him into the net. Replays showed that it had taken a deflection from Cabo Verde centre-back Diney Borges, who was later adjudged to have scored an own goal. Vozinha stood no chance. In the dying minutes, the fierce Blue Sharks brought all their fury and had everyone of an Argentine persuasion counting down the seconds, but they lacked the composure to score another goal. This was evident in multiple long shots from the centre, when passing was a better option. If they had more players with high-level exposure, perhaps Cabo Verde could have made it 3-3.

However, this game will not be remembered for what Cabo Verde lacked, but for what they brought to the biggest stage. For enhancing the beautiful game in a way only a few minnows have ever done.