It took every ounce of Argentina’s champion pedigree, three goals, 120 bruising minutes and a slice of fortune to finally bring Cabo Verde’s extraordinary FIFA World Cup fairytale to an end. Twice the tournament debutants dragged the defending champions back into the fight, refusing to yield until Lionel Scaloni’s side escaped with a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory in one of the matches of the tournament.

Lionel Messi, making a record-extending 30th World Cup appearance, looked set to script another chapter in his storied international career after giving Argentina the lead with his 20th goal at the global finals. But the spotlight soon shifted to the fearless underdogs. Cabo Verde absorbed wave after wave of Argentine pressure before striking with ruthless efficiency through Deroy Duarte and Laros Cabral, twice wiping out deficits to leave the world champions staring at an unthinkable exit. It ultimately took a cruel deflection off a Cabo Verde defender from Cristian Romero’s header in extra time to settle a pulsating contest and book Argentina a last-16 date with Egypt.

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