Lionel Messi and Argentina avoid World Cup shock as Cape Verde twice stun holders

Cape Verde were not about to leave this World Cup without a fight and, even if Argentina did eventually overpower them, they did not go quietly.

The African nation have been one of the tournament's great feel good stories - starting with their goalless draw against Spain that felt like a win. They had the high against Uruguay several nights ago, but found themselves facing their highest mountain yet in Miami.

When Lionel Messi's brilliant opener put Argentina 1-0 up Cape Verde were seemingly facing an impossible expedition as they came out for the second-half.

But the plucky World Cup minnows ensured we had a game on our hands when Deroy Duarte fired home an equaliser from a tight angle, silencing the majority of the crowd, but igniting a small island off the west coast of Africa with a little over 500,000 people.

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Goalkeeper Vozinha has been one of the stars of this World Cup - and he stared down Messi and won shortly after the Cape Verde equaliser. He stood firm to block an effort from the Argentine, who lacked the clinical edge with his right foot, to keep the game level going into the second hydration break.

Messi would be denied in the fourth minute of added time - his final chance of normal time as Cape Verde were able to force extra-time and keep alive the hopes of, what would surely have been, the greatest World Cup shock ever.

Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez must've thought he'd put the game to bed in the opening minutes of extra-time. The defender found himself at the back post from a corner and, after being afforded to much time and space, took a touch and fired home at the near post.

Cape Verde refused to read the script however and Sidny Lopes scored, what will surely be, the goal of the tournament. He cut in from the left and bent a strike into the far top corner.

His celebration led him into the stands and, despite the best efforts of the security, he stood by the small section of Cape Verde fans and waited for an individual to hug. Time seemed to stand still as he strike hit the net before Lopes lapped up what will surely be the moment of his career.

For Argentina the third time really was a charm as Cristian Romero headed home a Messi corner to put the South Americans ahead with less than ten minutes on the clock. Messi's out swinging corner was met by the defender, whose header deflected in and past Vozinha

That kept alive the Messi and Argentina repeat as the team walked out behind their talisman before the game, with scenes that echoed a boxer's ring walk.

There's not much the Inter Miami star is yet to achieve, but winning the Golden Boot is on that incredibly small list. He'd seen the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane all score in their last 16 games - with all three tasting victory. Messi's strike in Miami took him one ahead of Mbappe ahead of the quarter-finals.

Martinez's ball over the top was beautifully controlled by Messi, who finished with his next touch to put his country ahead and continue his ascent towards one of the few accolades that has eluded him.

Earlier in the evening Mohamed Salah had produced an audacious panenka during a penalty shootout that saw Egypt see off Australia. They booked their spot in the last eight for the first time in their history - and now face the task of downing the holders.

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