Messi scores as Argentina forced into extra time by Cape Verde

Lionel Messi gave Argentina an early lead, scoring in the opening minutes of a high‑stakes World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde. The South American giants, long‑favoured to advance, were forced to a stalemate after Cape Verde equalised in the second half, pushing the contest into extra time and igniting speculation that the match could become one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

In the additional period, Argentina restored their advantage and secured a narrow victory, but the performance highlighted Cape Verde’s resilience and tactical discipline, which surprised analysts and fans alike. The result keeps Argentina on track in the qualification campaign while underscoring the growing competitiveness of smaller football nations on the global stage.