Cape Verde's Inspiring Run Comes to an End
In a thrilling match that will be etched in the memories of football fans, Cape Verde pushed Argentina to the limit, thanks in large part to the incredible goalkeeping of Vozinha, who leaves the tournament as a national hero.
The Blue Sharks, the lowest-ranked team left in the World Cup and the third-smallest country to compete in the tournament, forced extra time against Lionel Messi and Argentina after finding an equalizer in the 59th minute of their World Cup round of 32 match at Miami Stadium on Friday.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina in the 29th minute to give him a record-extending 20th World Cup goal, but Deroy Duarte brought Cape Verde level on a close-range shot that Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez couldn't get to, scoring his first-ever goal for Cape Verde.
Argentina had the opportunity to take back the lead in the 63rd minute, but Vozinha denied a darting Messi of his second goal of the match, and then saved another big chance from Messi in the 72nd minute, this time from a free-kick just outside of the penalty box.
With Argentina desperate for a go-ahead goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Messi found the target, but Vozinha was there to block his shot again and send Cape Verde to extra time.
Argentina struck first once again to start extra time, but it didn't take long for Cape Verde to come up with another heroic response, this time from Sidny Lopes Cabral, who scored an absolute stunner to even things at two goals a piece.
Cape Verde kept the pressure on Argentina, but La Albiceleste found the winner through an 111th minute own goal to give them the 3-2 win and end Vozinha's dream run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Vozinha recorded eight saves against Argentina in the 90 minutes of regulation time and also recorded seven saves for Cape Verde against Spain in the group stage to secure a scoreless draw, leaving the tournament with 25 saves, the tournament-high.
Argentina moves on to the round of 16, but Vozinha and Cape Verde will leave the tournament champions in their own right, having won the hearts of fans with their incredible display of determination and skill.
