Argentina vs Cape Verde

The match the whole world wanted delivered everything anyone could have dreamed of — and more. Argentina survived the greatest scare of their title defence, edging past Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in a match that will be talked about for generations, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami — Lionel Messi's adopted home. Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, converting from close range to extend his own World Cup scoring record to nine goals at this tournament. Cape Verde, and the footballing world, refused to accept the fairytale was over. Deroy Duarte nutmegged Lisandro Martínez and surprised Emiliano Martínez at the near post to level, silencing the Argentine fans in the stadium. Messi had a one-on-one chance to restore Argentina's lead and missed — and when the full-time whistle blew at 1-1, the impossible seemed possible for the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup knockout round. In extra time, Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina's lead with a stunning finish at the near post from a corner — only for Sidny Lopes Cabral to produce the goal of the match, a breathtaking curler from a tight angle that beat Emiliano Martínez and brought the roof down in Miami. Four minutes before the end of extra time, Cristian Romero rose to meet a Messi corner, his header deflecting in off Cape Verde defender Diny Borges for what was ruled an own goal — the cruelest of endings for a nation that had captured the entire world's heart. Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper who became a global phenomenon after stopping Spain in the group stage, was finally beaten. He left the field in tears, but to a standing ovation. Cape Verde's World Cup journey is over — but their story is immortal.