What is the story about?
The
reigning World Cup champions are still alive and through to the Round of 16 thanks to a hard-fought 3-2 win in extra-time against tournament debutants Cape Verde. Argentina did not play their best game and found themselves in a massive batte against the tournament’s best story, but the Albiceleste found a way to win it after 120 minutes and are still alive in their title defense thanks to a goal and an assist from Lionel Messi.
Reactions & Observations
- Argentina played at a very slow pace throughout the game, but the first half was one of full control that gave them the lead thanks to a brilliant long pass by Lisandro Martínez and an even better combination of first touch and finish from Lionel Messi.
- The Albiceleste could have pushed for a second but decided not to, and the game felt so easy that Argentina decided to slow it down even more and give Cape Verde the ball. The underdogs grew into the contest and found a shocking equalizer, and Vozinha put on a show in the second half to send the game to extra-time, which was in itself a gigantic achievement.
- When Lisandro Martínez scored two minutes into extra-time, it felt like Argentina would finally establish their superiority and kill off the game. Then Lopes Cabral scored one of the great goals in recent World Cup history, and Cape Verde came back to equalize for a second time in spectacular fashion.
- Messi’s corner found the head of Cristian Romero to give Argentina a third lead on the night in the second half of the extra period, and that was finally enough to put the game away and send the champions to the Round of 16.
- Cape Verde’s story in the World Cup ends the only way it could have: in epic fashion, with extraordinary spirit and resilience that kept them alive until the very end. No one will ever forget Vozinha and his buddies, and I’m not afraid to say it: whoever wins the World Cup, they will not be the People’s Champion. That title already belongs to Cape Verde.
- As for Argentina, this is an extremely concerning performance as they try to defend their title. Maybe this will serve as a wake-up call and we’ll see a better version of the Albiceleste, but they don’t inspire a lot of confidence right now.
