World Cup 2026: Cape Verde give Argentina mighty scare as last 16 opens amid Mexico v England fixture chaos

Cape Verde pushed Argentina to the limit before the defending champions escaped with a 3-2 extra-time victory in Miami, a round-of-32 contest that quickly became one of the World Cup’s standout matches.

The result keeps Argentina’s title defence alive, but only after a prolonged scare from the tournament debutants. Cape Verde twice came from behind and were still level late in extra time before Argentina found the decisive breakthrough.

Cape Verde’s run had already been framed as a landmark for a nation making its first World Cup finals appearance. On the evidence of this defeat, it also became a statement of how far the side had come: brave, organised and stubborn enough to keep the champions under pressure until the end.

The match swung repeatedly. Cape Verde scored through Deroy Duarte and Sydney Lopes Cabral, while Argentina’s victory was shaped by Cristian Romero’s decisive header and an own goal involving Diney Borges. Goalkeeper Vozinha also drew attention for a series of important saves that kept Cape Verde alive deep into the contest.

Argentina’s narrow escape will sharpen scrutiny on how secure they look when asked to grind out knockout football. Even in victory, the champions were made to respond to a side that arrived at the last 32 with little tournament pedigree but plenty of belief.

Cape Verde’s landmark run

For Cape Verde, the defeat does not erase the scale of the achievement. Their debut World Cup campaign had already turned into a source of national pride, and their display against Argentina ensured that exit came with their reputation enhanced rather than diminished.

Bubista’s team left the tournament with praise for their courage and competitiveness. The response quoted after the game was plain: they believed they had done their best, and they had done it with bravery. Against a powerhouse opponent, that was enough to leave a mark on the competition.

Knockout-round uncertainty

The Argentina-Cape Verde thriller was only one part of a packed opening day in the knockout stage. The last 16 began amid uncertainty over the England v Mexico fixture, with live coverage reporting questions over the kickoff time because of weather concerns.

The match was still listed for 1am UK time at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium, but no official rescheduling had been confirmed in the material gathered. The issue added an unusual logistical subplot to the first day of knockout football.

Elsewhere, Egypt beat Australia on penalties after a 1-1 draw, extending the sense that the tournament’s elimination rounds were getting underway with no shortage of drama. The result also underlined how quickly matches can turn into tests of nerve once the group stage is behind the teams.

Klopp adds off-pitch intrigue

Away from the field, Jürgen Klopp created another major talking point by confirming he is in talks over the Germany national-team job, according to live coverage of his comments from New York.

That development is separate from the World Cup action itself, but it adds to the wider football news cycle around the tournament. If the talks progress, they could become one of the sport’s most significant coaching moves of the summer.

For now, the immediate story belongs to Argentina and Cape Verde. One side survived, one side nearly made history, and the knockout stage began with reminders that the margins at this level are thin enough to threaten even the holders.