Messi sets more World Cup 2026 records as Argentina survive Cape Verde thriller to face Egypt
Seven tournament goals keep Argentine captain ahead in Golden Boot race
MIAMI – Argentina's defence of the FIFA World Cup title remains alive after Lionel Messi inspired the reigning champions to a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde, setting up a blockbuster Round of 16 clash against Egypt that is expected to captivate football fans across the UAE.
The win in Miami came only after Argentina survived one of their toughest tests of the tournament. Cape Verde, making their World Cup debut, twice fought back to level the score before an own goal deep into extra time finally separated the sides. The result keeps Argentina's dream of back-to-back world titles intact while adding another remarkable chapter to Messi's extraordinary international career.
Argentina's extra time winner sends them to the Round of 16! ????#FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 4, 2026
The next challenge promises to be even bigger, with Argentina set to face Egypt and Mohamed Salah in one of the standout ties of the knockout stage. The match will kick off at 8pm UAE time (GST) on Tuesday, July 7, giving supporters across the Gulf a prime-time opportunity to watch two of football's biggest icons go head-to-head.
Argentina vs Cape Verde
Messi gave Argentina the perfect start by opening the scoring in the 29th minute with a composed finish, extending his sensational goalscoring run at the tournament.
Cape Verde refused to back down, with Deroy Duarte equalising in the 59th minute to send the contest into an intense final half hour. Extra time brought even more drama as Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina's lead in the 93rd minute, only for Sidney Cabral to make it 2-2 in the 103rd minute.
With penalties looming, Cape Verde defender Dini Edilson inadvertently turned the ball into his own net in the 111th minute, handing Argentina a 3-2 victory and ending the debutants' memorable World Cup campaign.
Messi also played a decisive role beyond his goal, delivering the corner that ultimately led to Argentina's match-winning strike.
History made
At 39, Messi continues to rewrite football history with almost every appearance.
His strike against Cape Verde was his seventh goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, leaving him at the top of the Golden Boot standings ahead of rivals including Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
The goal also took his overall World Cup tally to 20, extending his record as Argentina's leading scorer in the competition. It marked the eighth consecutive World Cup match in which Messi has found the net, another milestone in a career already filled with records.
The Argentine captain also made his 30th FIFA World Cup appearance, the highest by any player in the tournament's history.
Egypt awaits
Argentina's reward is a Round of 16 meeting with Egypt, who booked their place after defeating Australia in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.
The fixture is set to become one of the headline matches of the knockout phase, with Messi and Salah preparing to meet on the World Cup stage for the first time in a high-stakes encounter.
For football fans in the UAE, the evening kick-off makes the match one of the most accessible knockout fixtures of the tournament. Supporters across the country will be able to follow the action through the FIFA World Cup's official Middle East broadcast partners and streaming platforms as Argentina continue their pursuit of successive world titles and Messi looks to extend an already record-breaking campaign.