By Patrick Rowe, Football Journalist, Sky Sports – Argentina won 3-2 thanks to Diney Borges’ own goal in extra time; Cape Verde drew level twice to stun the reigning champions in Miami. Argentina avoided the biggest upset in World Cup history after Diney Borges’ own goal in extra-time rescued a 3-2 win over Cape Verde to book their place in the last 16 of the tournament. (Photo: Messi scored the opener against Cape Verde).

The lowest-ranked nation ever to qualify for the knockouts had the odds stacked against them, but pushed the reigning champions to their very limits and the brink of elimination in one of the great World Cup games. It looked to be business as usual after Lionel Messi’s sublime opener, but the first shock came when Deroy Duarte squeezed his effort into the far corner just before the hour mark to draw his side level.

A sloppy and laboured showing from Argentina, then followed to see out regular time before they thought their blushes had been spared when Lisandro Martinez whipped his effort into the top right corner in the second minute of extra time. Sidny Lopes Cabral then stunned the entire Miami Stadium – and footballing world – when he curled in arguably the goal of the tournament to dramatically draw Cape Verde level in the 103rd minute.

Tension began to fester for Argentina as time went on – as well as belief for Cape Verde that they could pull off the impossible – until Cristian Romero’s header from a corner deflected off Borges to rescue victory for Lionel Scaloni’s side. They will now face Egypt in the last 16 of the tournament, but the story lies with Cape Verde despite the defeat. (Photo: Duarte scored).

A country with a population of just over 600,000, a fifth of Buenos Aires, bowing out of the tournament with their heads held incredibly high. They arrived as a relatively unknown entity for their first appearance on the biggest stage of them all, but they leave with unforgettable memories and performances against Spain, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay and Argentina that will be etched in history forever.

The Key Moments from Miami

29: GOAL! Messi opens the scoring with a sublime touch and finish to settle Argentina’s nerves

59: SHOCK EQUALISER! Duarte squeezes his effort into the far corner to draw Cape Verde level.

73: STUNNING SAVE! Vozinha makes one of eight saves to keep Messi’s free-kick out

90+5: ANOTHER SAVE! Messi’s free-kick deflects into the path of Vozinha, who denies him again

92: GOAL! L. Martinez whips a shot into the top right corner to restore Argentina’s lead.

103: SPEECHLESS! S. Cabral curls a goal of the tournament contender into a draw to level Cape Verde again

111: GOAL! Romero’s header deflects off Diney to break Cape Verde’s hearts. (Photo: Martinez scored).

Analysis: Argentina Win But Cape Verde Grab the Headlines

Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe:

A truly extraordinary performance from Cape Verde. They bow out of the World Cup but will undoubtedly be the story of the tournament. Relentless defensively to keep Argentina at bay – buoyed by yet another heroic showing from Vozinha in goal with eight saves on the evening – and fearless going forward.

Sidny Lopes Cabral’s effort was enough to win goal of the tournament on quality alone, but given the circumstances and opponent, it will go down as one of the great strikes on the stage and will be remembered for years to come.

As will the team, who will be welcomed back as heroes and inspire generations to come. If a case needs to be made regarding the expanded format this summer and whether it was a success, look no further than the Cape Verde fairytale in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Courtesy: Sky Sports (Photo: Salah).

World Cup 2026: Australia 1-1 Egypt (2-4 on Penalties) – Shoot-Out Drama Sends Mohamed Salah and Co into Last 16

Match report as Egypt came through a penalty shoot-out to knock out Australia and progress to the last 16 of the World Cup.

Mohamed Salah scored his spot kick, but two Australian defenders missed the target after the teams had drawn 1-1 after extra time. Egypt are into the last 16 of the World Cup after beating Australia in a dramatic penalty shoot-out in Dallas. (Photo: Salah of Egypt).

The game itself ended 1-1 after extra time, but Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington both missed from the spot in the shootout while Egypt converted four consecutive spot-kicks against Mat Ryan, brought on in the 119th minute, to send Australia packing.

Although Cristian Volpato’s early effort skimmed the crossbar, it was Egypt who were the better team in the first half, and Emam Ashour soon nodded them in front. Omar Marmoush should have doubled the advantage at the start of the second period. (Photo: Egypt’s Eman Ashour scored).

But Egypt were punished when Australia found an equaliser that came when Mohamed Hany glanced the ball into his own net. It still took a stunning save from Patrick Beach to deny Ramy Rabia a 94th-minute winner and take the game to extra time.

Mohamed Salah came to life in extra-time but could not force the winner, and Egypt would have been entitled to feel concerned by the prospect of penalties, having lost their previous four shoot-outs, particularly when Ryan came on in goal for Australia.

The experienced stopper replaced Beach but could not keep out any Egypt penalties, Salah linking his effort down the middle. Two Australian defenders missed – Souttar and Herrington – to end their hopes as Egypt set up a clash with Argentina or Cape Verde. (Photo: Salah comforts Aziz Bench).

Salah: If Anyone was Going to Panenka, it was Going to be Me!

Egypt captain Mohamed Salah speaking on BBC Sport: “It’s history. I told the boys before the game, ‘This is the biggest stage you can play in your life, so just enjoy it. Don’t let the pressure get to you and not enjoy the moment.’

“I’m glad we managed to win the game. Bad luck for them [Australia]… On his Panenka penalty: “If someone was going to do it, it was going to be me. I’m more experienced than others; I want to give them confidence, but I decided last minute [on the run-up]. I don’t know if it’s my last World Cup or not, so I had to do it.”

On possibly facing Messi in the round of 16: “We have to respect both teams, and we’ll see what’s next.”

Courtesy: Sky Sports