Argentina eliminates Cape Verde to reach Round of 16, Messi hits 20-goal World Cup milestone

2026 World Cup Key News

(CNA Miami, July 4, 2026) Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi scored his 20th career World Cup goal today, leading the defending champions through a grueling match against Cape Verde that went into extra time. Argentina ultimately won a narrow 3-2 victory to advance to the Round of 16.

Messi scored his 20th World Cup goal in the 29th minute, giving Argentina the lead and making him the first player in World Cup history to reach the 20-goal milestone. French star Kylian Mbappe is second with 18 goals.

Messi has now scored in 8 consecutive World Cup matches, continuing to break his own record. Messi has scored a total of 7 goals in this World Cup, leading Mbappe by 1 goal in the race for the Golden Boot.

Cape Verde's Deroy Duarte scored in the 59th minute to equalize. The two teams remained deadlocked, and the match went into extra time.

Messi's teammate Lisandro Martinez scored in the 92nd minute to give Argentina a 2-1 lead, but Sidny Lopes Cabral equalized in the 103rd minute.

In the 111th minute, Argentina's Cristian Romero's header deflected off Diney Borges and into the net for an own goal. Argentina won 3-2, ending the surprising journey of Cape Verde, who reached the Round of 32 in their first-ever World Cup appearance.

Argentina will face Egypt in the Round of 16. (Compiled by Lu Ying-tzu) 0704

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