LOS ANGELES: Argentina survived a huge scare before beating Cape Verde 3-2 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup match on Friday. Egypt also reached the last 16 after defeating Australia in a penalty shootout.
Cape Verde, a small country with a population of just over 500,000, shocked the defending champions by scoring twice to level the match. The exciting game at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami went into extra time.
Lionel Messi gave Argentina the lead in the 29th minute with a brilliant goal. However, Deroy Duarte equalised in the 59th minute to make it 1-1.
Lisandro Martinez put Argentina back in front in the 92nd minute, but Cape Verde struck again when Sidny Lopes Cabral scored a superb goal in the 103rd minute.
The winning goal came in the 111th minute when Cape Verde’s Diney Borges accidentally scored an own goal under pressure from Argentina defender Cristian Romero. Argentina held on to win 3-2.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni admitted the match was very difficult. He said losing to Cape Verde “would have been madness.” He also praised the African side, saying they proved they are a great team.
Argentina will now face Egypt on Tuesday in Atlanta for a place in the quarter-finals.
Earlier, Egypt defeated Australia on penalties after the match ended 1-1 following extra time. Egypt won the shootout 4-2 to claim their first-ever World Cup knockout victory.
Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the winning penalty, while Australia missed two spot-kicks.
Egypt captain Mohamed Salah celebrated the historic win, saying, “It’s history.” Before the match, he told his teammates, “I told the boys before the game that this is the biggest stage you can play on. Enjoy it and don’t let the pressure get to you.”
Australia coach Tony Popovic defended his decision to bring on experienced goalkeeper Maty Ryan for the penalty shootout, but Ryan was unable to stop any of Egypt’s successful penalties.
In another match, Colombia beat Ghana 1-0 to secure the final place in the World Cup last 16.
Meanwhile, there was uncertainty over Sunday’s last-16 match between England and Mexico at the Estadio Azteca because of forecast storms. However, officials later confirmed the match would start at its scheduled time of 6:00pm local time.
