Miami, July 4 (SANA)–Argentinaqualified for theFIFA World Cup 2026Round of 16 after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in their Round of 32 match held on Saturday in theU.S. city of Miami.

The match turned into a marathon contest that lasted 120 minutes. Argentina took the lead throughLionel Messiin the 29th minute, beforeCape Verdeequalized through Deroy Duarte in the 59th minute, sending the game into extra time.

LisandroMartínezrestored Argentina’s lead in the second minute of the first period of extra time, but Cape Verde equalized again through Lopes Cabral in the 103rd minute.

In the 111th minute, Diney Edelson scored an own goal, handing defending champions Argentina a third and decisive goal.

With the result, Cape Verde bowed out of the World Cup in the Round of 32 in their historic first appearance, while Argentina set up a Round of 16 clash with Egypt next Tuesday evening.