Result Argentina 3 - 2 Cape Verde, Friday, 3 July 2026, World Cup Round of 32

Argentina triumphed over Cape Verde in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 held at Miami Stadium. The match on Friday, July 3, 2026, proved to be quite challenging for the defending champions. Cape Verde showed great resilience by equalizing twice, but ultimately, an own goal by Diney Borges secured a 3-2 victory for Argentina after extra time. Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the first half, marking his record-extending 20th career World Cup goal. This was undoubtedly a significant challenge for Argentina.

In this match, there were two Serie A players representing Argentina. Inter's forward Lautaro Martínez played until the 63rd minute before being substituted by Julián Álvarez. Como's forward Nico Paz was on the bench as a substitute.

Argentina has moved on to the Round of 16. They will be up against Egypt, who triumphed over Australia in a penalty shootout, in a Round of 16 match in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.



 

FIFA Ranking

Cape Verde currently holds the 64th position in the FIFA rankings with a total of 1,402.97 points, having moved up three spots after qualifying for the Round of 32. In contrast, Argentina is ranked second, having been temporarily overtaken by France for the top position.

 

How did they reach the Round of 32?

Under the guidance of manager Lionel Scaloni, defending champions Argentina showcased their strength by winning all three of their group matches, finishing first in Group J with a total of 9 points:

Match 1: Defeated Algeria 3-0
Match 2: Defeated Austria 2-0
Match 3: Defeated Jordan 3-1

On the other hand, World Cup debutants Cape Verde advanced by drawing all three of their group matches, finishing as runners-up in Group H:

Match 1: Held European heavyweights Spain to a 0-0 draw
Match 2: Secured a 2-2 draw against Uruguay
Match 3: Played to a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia

 

👉   Click here for  Full 2026 World Cup Squad Lists – Confirmed rosters for all 48 teams.

👉  Click here for  2026 World Cup Group Stage Standings.

 



 

👉   Serie A players called up for  🇦🇷    the Argentina National team:

• Inter forward Lautaro Martinez.


• Como forward Nico Paz.

👉   There are no players from Serie A representing Cape Verde  🇨🇻.

 

🇦🇷 Argentina 1 - 0 Cape Verde 🇨🇻

⚽️ In the 29th minute, Lionel Messi scored. A beautiful pass from Lisandro Martínez set up the captain, who expertly controlled the ball and struck it into the net with a stunning volley under the crossbar. Goalkeeper Vozinha had no chance, putting Argentina in the lead.





 

🇦🇷 Argentina 1 - 1 Cape Verde 🇨🇻

⚽️ In the 59th minute, goal by Deroy Duarte!!! Assist from Ryan Mendes, who skillfully passes the ball through Medina's legs to set up Deroy Duarte, who calmly slots it past the Argentine goalkeeper El Dibu Martinez with a nice low shot.





 



 

🇦🇷 Argentina 2 - 2 Cape Verde 🇨🇻

⚽️ In the 103rd minute, a fantastic goal by Sidny Cabral, who curls the ball from an angled position, delivering an exceptional shot that finds its way into the bottom corner. Cape Verde equalizes for the second time against Argentina.





 

🇦🇷 Argentina 3 - 2 Cape Verde 🇨🇻

⚽️ In the 111th minute, Diney Borges inadvertently scores an own goal. He touches the ball with his arm while trying to head it away from Cuti Romero, causing it to slip past Vozinha, putting Argentina ahead by one.






 

 

   Argentina World Cup 2026 Squad:

• Goalkeepers: Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa).


• Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid).


• Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg), Giovani lo Celso (Real Betis), Ezequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea).


• Forwards: Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martinez (Inter)

   Cabo Verde World Cup Squad: 

• Goalkeepers: Vozinha (Chaves), Marcio Rosa (Montana), CJ dos Santos (San Diego)


• Defenders: Stopira (Torreense), Roberto Lopes (Shamrock Rovers), Joao Paulo (FCSB), Diney (Al Bataeh), Logan Costa (Villarreal), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Wagner Pina (Trabzonspor), Sidny Lopes Cabral (Benfica), Kelvin Pires (SJK)


• Midfielders: Jamiro Monteiro (PEC Zwolle), Kevin Pina (Krasnodar), Deroy Duarte (Ludogorets), Telmo Arcanjo (Vitoria Guimaraes), Laros Duarte (Puskas Akademia), Yannick Semedo (Farense)


• Forwards: Ryan Mendes (Igdir), Garry Rodrigues (Apollon Limassol), Willy Semedo (Omonia), Jovane Cabral (Estrela Amadora), Gilson Tavares (Akron Tolyatti), Dailon Livramento (Casa Pia), Helio Varela (Maccabi Tel Aviv), Nuno da Costa (Istanbul Basaksehir)

 

The Hard Rock Stadium is set for Argentina vs Cape Verde

 



 

Argentina's official starting lineup against Cape Verde

Credit via x.com/argentina

 

Cape Verde official starting lineup against Argentina 

Photo via x.com/fcfcomunica

 



 

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World Cup Round of 32

🇦🇷  Argentina - Cape Verde 🇨🇻

Date: Friday, 3 July 2026
Kick-off time: 3:00 PM Pacific Time
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium
Miami Gardens, FL

Referee: Drew Fischer CAN
Assistant Referee 1: Micheal Barwegen CAN
Assistant Referee 2: Lyes Arfa CAN
Fourth Official: Katia Garcia MEX
Reserve AR: Sandra Ramirez MEX
Video Assistant Referee: Aramando Villarreal USA
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1 : Ivan Bebek CRO
Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2 :Tatiana Guzman NCA

⚽️   Goals:  29' Lionel Messi (A), 59' Deroy Duarte (C)

🟨   Yellow Cards:

✅    Official lineups - Tabellino:

🇦🇷   Argentina starting lineup (4-4-2): Emiliano Martínez, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Thiago Almada, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez.

Substitutes: Gonzalo Montiel, Giuliano Simeone, Exequiel Palacios, Nicolás Otamendi, Valentín Barco, Leandro Paredes, Nico Paz, Gerónimo Rulli, Juan Musso, Nicolás Tagliafico, Giovani Lo Celso, Marcos Senesi, José Manuel López, Julián Alvarez, Nico González.

🇨🇻   Cape Verde starting lineup (4-1-4-1): Vozinha, Pico Lopes, Diney Borges, Sidny Cabral, Steven Moreira, Ryan Mendes, Laros Duarte, Jovane Cabral, Deroy Duarte, Kevin Pina, Nuno da Costa.

Substitutes: Garry Rodrigues, Logan Costa, Stopira, Telmo Arcanjo, CJ dos Santos, Wagner Pina, João Paulo, Dailon Livramento, Hélio Varela, Yannick Semedo, Willy Semedo, Jamiro Monteiro, Gilson Benchimol, Márcio Rosa, Kelvin Pires

 



 

Click the video to watch Argentina 3 - 2 Cape Verde highlights on Friday, 3 July 2026

 

Lionel Messi vs Vozinha ⭐️ EPIC FIFA World Cup 2026

 

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