2026 World Cup: Argentina Edges Cape Verde; Ghana Eliminated
World Cup debutants Cape Verde bowed out of the 2026 World Cup with their heads held high on Friday, pushing defending champions Argentina to the absolute limit in a 120-minute thriller. While the Blue Sharks captured the world’s imagination, Carlos Queiroz’s Ghana exited the tournament with a whisper, failing to register a single shot on target in their defeat to Colombia.
Heartbreak in Miami: Argentina Survives Cape Verde Scare
In a grueling and high-intensity encounter in Miami Gardens, Cape Verde proved that their group-stage draws against Spain and Uruguay were no fluke. Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina side was forced to suffer until the final whistle of extra time before securing a 3-2 victory.
Lionel Messi continued his historic run, opening the scoring in the 29th minute with a clinical finish off a Lisandro Martínez pass. It was Messi’s 20th career World Cup goal and his eighth consecutive game finding the net. However, Cape Verde refused to be intimidated. Deroy Duarte stunned the champions with a 59th-minute equalizer, displaying the character that forced the match into extra time.
The drama intensified in the additional periods. Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina’s lead in the 92nd minute, only for former Benfica winger Sidny Lopes Cabral to level the score again in the 103rd minute with a spectacular “golazo.” The deadlock was finally broken in the 111th minute when a Messi corner led to a Cristian Romero header, which deflected off Diney Borges for an agonizing own goal. Despite a late barrage from Cape Verde, including a stinging free kick from Lopes Cabral saved by “Dibu” Martínez, Argentina held on to set up a round-of-16 clash with Egypt.
Egypt Triumphs in Penalty Shootout
Egypt secured their place in the next round by overcoming Australia in a tense battle of underdogs. After Emam Ashour gave the Pharaohs an early lead in the 14th minute, an own goal by Mohamed Hany in the 55th minute leveled the playing field for the Socceroos.
With neither side able to find a winner through 120 minutes, the match moved to penalties. Australia’s nerves faltered as Harry Souttar fired over the bar and Lucas Herrington hit the woodwork. Hossam Abdelmaguid stepped up to convert the decisive penalty, sealing a 4-2 shootout win and ending Australia’s campaign.
Queiroz’s Ghana Falls Flat Against Colombia
In the day’s final matchup, Colombia continued their strong form with a 1-0 victory over Ghana. Facing his former team, Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz saw his side struggle to create any offensive momentum.
Jhon Arias scored the lone goal in the 14th minute, assisted by Sporting CP’s Luis Suárez. While the scoreline remained close, the match was largely one-sided; Ghana failed to record a single shot on goal throughout the match. Colombia, who won Group K ahead of Portugal, now move on to face Switzerland in the round of 16, looking to build on just their second-ever knockout stage victory.
Image: Pexels – Franco Monsalvo
