Argentina, the defending World Cup champion, qualified with difficulty to the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, after its exciting victory over Cape Verde 3-2 in a confrontation that extended into extra time.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina in the 29th minute, after taking advantage of a pass from Lisandro Martinez behind the defense line, to put the defending champions in front.

But Cape Verde came back strong in the second half, and Deroy Duarte equalized in the 59th minute with a low shot, so the score remained 1-1 until the end of regular time and the confrontation extended to two additional periods.

The Argentine national team regained its lead in the 93rd minute through Lisandro Martinez, who converted a corner kick to give his team the second goal.

Cape Verde refused to give up, and returned to the match for the second time with a wonderful goal scored by Sidney Cabral in the 103rd minute, with a curling shot from the edge of the penalty area.

In the 111th minute, Argentina settled the confrontation with an own goal, after Cristian Romero’s header, following a corner kick taken by Messi, hit Denny Borges and turned into the goal.

With this difficult victory, Argentina reserved its place in the round of 16, where it will set an expected date with the Egyptian national team on July 7, after the Pharaohs qualified at the expense of Australia on penalties.

Because the greatest news value to the Arab reader now is the expected confrontation between Egypt and the title holder.