# Argentina survive Cape Verde scare in extra-time World Cup thriller

Argentina avoided a historic upset as they overcame Cape Verde in an extra-time thriller in the World Cup knockout stage. Lionel Messi scored, but Cape Verde's Duarte equalized late in regulation, forcing extra time, before Martinez restored Argentina's lead to seal the win. The match showcased Cape Verde's stunning performance and highlighted Argentina's vulnerability in a tournament classic.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### World
- [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/7/4/messi-scores-again-but-argentina-given-world-cup-upset-fright-by-cape-verde?traffic_source=rss) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:51:40 +0000
- [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/7/4/cape-verde-fans-overjoyed-with-teams-world-cup-run-despite-argentina-loss?traffic_source=rss) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 09:42:30 +0000
- [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/video/2026/7/4/video-world-cup-2026-highlights?traffic_source=rss) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 08:00:41 +0000
- [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/7/21/argentina-players-receive-heroes-welcome-home-despite-world-cup-defeat?traffic_source=rss) — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:40:39 +0000
- [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/7/24/spains-de-la-fuente-slams-argentinas-world-cup-conduct-as-unacceptable?traffic_source=rss) — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:03:26 +0000

### Sports
- [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/cj6gp70g967o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:55:42 GMT
- [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/cly8p49l2vwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:45:00 GMT
- [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/c4gy8exgyd3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:48:33 GMT
- [Fox News Sports](https://www.foxnews.com/sports/messi-argentina-avoid-shocking-upset-wild-knockout-stage-match-against-cape-verde) — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:30:04 -0400
- [The Guardian Sport](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/04/argentina-cape-verde-world-cup-2026-last-32-match-report) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:06:10 GMT
- [The Guardian Sport](https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jul/04/world-cup-2026-cape-verde-give-argentina-mighty-scare-last-16-mexico-v-england-fixture-chaos-morocco-canada-france-paraguay-live) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:08:55 GMT
- [The Guardian Sport](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/04/cape-verde-argentina-world-cup) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 11:00:11 GMT
- [Fox News Sports](https://www.foxnews.com/sports/any-world-cup-games-today-quarterfinal-schedule-france-argentina-more) — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:55:47 -0400
- [The Guardian Sport](https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jul/08/world-cup-2026-egypt-fury-after-argentina-win-thriller-switzerland-triumph-in-shootout-live) — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:28:22 GMT
- [The Guardian Sport](https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2026/jul/08/argentina-avert-disaster-with-late-controversial-comeback-world-cup-daily-video) — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 08:35:11 GMT
- [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/c07y37p7gmko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 04:35:35 GMT
- [Fox News Sports](https://www.foxnews.com/sports/back-to-back-mens-world-cup-champions-will-argentina-become-third) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:52:30 -0400
- [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/videos/cp30nd7vpn2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 22:03:04 GMT