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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) – Lionel Messi wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief. So did his Argentine teammates.<\/p>\n
Thrilling and unforgettable world cup<\/span> The game against underdog Cape Verde was over and the defending champions survived after being pushed to the brink.<\/p>\nCape Verde tied the score again in regulation and overtime, but the Blue Sharks were unable to respond to Argentina’s third goal and La Albiceleste won 3-2 on Friday to advance to the Round of 16.<\/p>\n
Even in defeat, the performance of Cape Verde, a small island nation off the west coast of Africa, will be one of the most remarkable stories of this or any World Cup.<\/p>\n
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said, “We have to give credit to our opponents.” “The truth is, they say there are no easy opponents, but today (Cape Verde) proved that they are a great team.”<\/p>\n
Argentina’s go-ahead goal in the 111th minute was ruled an own goal after Cristian Romero’s header was deflected by Cape Verde’s Dinny Borges. messi scores<\/span> It was his 20th World Cup goal, extending his record, early in regulation. Lisandro Martinez scored in the 92nd minute to give Argentina a 2-1 lead.<\/p>\nFor Cape Verde, Sidney L\u00f3pez Cabral and Deroy Duarte scored, both scoring the tying goal, surprising the pro-Argentine crowd in South Florida. Cabral’s goal \u2014 curling, right foot strike<\/span> In the 103rd minute, he rounded goalkeeper Emiliano Mart\u00ednez and made an already wild game even more spectacular, bringing the lead to two points and increasing the possibility that Messi would face him. Cape Verde’s outstanding goalkeeper Vosinha<\/span> In a penalty shootout.<\/p>\nArgentina pushed their way to the front eight minutes later and held on from there to face Egypt. win against australia<\/span> in a shootout early Friday morning and in Atlanta on Tuesday.<\/p>\n“This team has proven time and time again, and as I have said many times, we are competing,” Messi said in Spanish. \u201cAnd we competed to the end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cape Verde A memorable World Cup debut<\/span> It was an astonishing result that few could have expected in a country with a population of 525,000. Behind the brilliant display of the 40-year-old Bosinha, Cape Verde secured surprise draws against former champions Spain and Uruguay, as well as against Saudi Arabia, becoming the smallest country to reach the knockout stages.<\/p>\nBosinha made 10 saves against Argentina, including five against Messi.<\/p>\n
Cape Verde coach Buvista said: “We respect the dignity of our country. We drew twice against the world champions and took it to extra time.” “More than anything, I’m proud of the players who performed confidently at the World Cup. They showed our identity.”<\/p>\n
Messi has added another great goal to his resume. Martinez lofted a pass towards Messi, made a well-timed run and got behind the Cape Verde defense, and with a quick touch he finished into the roof of the net to take a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute.<\/p>\n
The Argentina captain scored seven goals in this tournament, adding one more to France’s Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 in the Golden Boot race as this year’s World Cup top scorer, extending his own World Cup record and moving him two ahead of Mbapp\u00e9 on the career list. He has scored 12 goals in an eight-game scoring streak.<\/p>\n
Messi had his first chance of the match in the 15th minute, firing a shot across the goalmouth, but it went wide of the right post. After receiving a takedown, he took a 25-yard free kick three minutes later that was easily converted by Bosinha, but he made great saves almost every time his team needed it.<\/p>\n
“We were very close and we pushed them to the end,” Cape Verde defender Pico L\u00f3pez said. “But in the end it didn’t happen. It was disappointing… But I think we showed great character today. It was great quality to get back into the game twice. They are world champions for a reason.”<\/p>\n
Bubista and his players remained on the pitch after the final whistle. Some were sitting with their heads on their chests. Some tearfully hugged before waving to a small group of supporters, but a reality that few outside of the fearless island could have predicted sank in at the end of the trip.<\/p>\n
“We showed that we may be a small country,” Bubista said. “But we can play against some of the best teams in the world.”<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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