‘Sensational’ Messi finish gives Argentina the lead
FIFA WC26
3-2
Finished
3-2
Finished
Key moments
-
29'
Goal
Lionel MESSI (Argentina) scores!! -
59'
Goal
DEROY DUARTE (Cabo Verde) scores!! -
68'
Yellow card
KEVIN PINA (Cabo Verde) is booked -
92'
Goal
Lisandro MARTINEZ (Argentina) scores!! -
103'
Goal
SIDNY LOPES CABRAL (Cabo Verde) scores!! -
111'
Goal
DINEY BORGES (Cabo Verde) scores an -
115'
Yellow card
Gonzalo MONTIEL (Argentina) is booked by
Squads
Argentina squad
- Selected
-
6 Lisandro MARTINEZ
Defender -
7 Rodrigo DE PAUL
Midfielder -
10 Lionel MESSI
C Forward -
13 Cristian ROMERO
Defender -
16 Thiago ALMADA
Forward -
20 Alexis MAC ALLISTER
Midfielder -
22 Lautaro MARTINEZ
Forward -
23 Emiliano MARTINEZ
Goalkeeper -
24 Enzo FERNANDEZ
Midfielder -
25 Facundo MEDINA
Defender -
26 Nahuel MOLINA
Defender -
1 Juan MUSSO
Goalkeeper -
2 Marcos SENESI
Defender -
3 Nicolas TAGLIAFICO
Defender -
4 Gonzalo MONTIEL
Defender -
5 Leandro PAREDES
Midfielder -
8 Valentin BARCO
Midfielder -
9 Julian ALVAREZ
Forward -
11 Giovani Lo Celso
Midfielder -
12 Geronimo RULLI
Goalkeeper -
14 Exequiel PALACIOS
Midfielder -
15 Nico GONZALEZ
Midfielder -
17 Giuliano SIMEONE
Forward -
18 Nico PAZ
Forward -
19 Nicolas OTAMENDI
Defender -
21 Jose Manuel LOPEZ
Forward
Cabo Verde squad
- Selected
-
1 VOZINHA
Goalkeeper -
3 DINEY BORGES
Defender -
4 PICO LOPES
Defender -
6 KEVIN PINA
Midfielder -
7 JOVANE CABRAL
Midfielder -
13 SIDNY LOPES CABRAL
Defender -
14 DEROY DUARTE
Midfielder -
15 LAROS DUARTE
Midfielder -
20 RYAN MENDES
C Forward -
21 NUNO DA COSTA
Midfielder -
22 STEVEN MOREIRA
Defender -
2 STOPIRA
Defender -
5 LOGAN COSTA
Defender -
8 JOAO PAULO
Midfielder -
9 GILSON BENCHIMOL
Forward -
10 JAMIRO MONTEIRO
Midfielder -
11 GARRY RODRIGUES
Midfielder -
12 MARCIO ROSA
Goalkeeper -
16 YANNICK SEMEDO
Midfielder -
17 WILLY SEMEDO
Midfielder -
18 TELMO ARCANJO
Midfielder -
19 DAILON LIVRAMENTO
Forward -
23 CJ DOS SANTOS
Goalkeeper -
24 WAGNER PINA
Defender -
25 KELVIN PIRES
Defender -
26 HELIO VARELA
Midfielder
Lionel Messi gave Argentina an early advantage in their World Cup 2026 clash with Cape Verde in Miami, delivering a finish that commentators praised as sensational. The goal put the Argentine side ahead in the matchup.
Messi's strike marked a notable achievement in his World Cup legacy, extending his record to eight consecutive World Cup games where he has scored a goal, illustrating his consistency as a goal-threat across multiple tournaments at sport's highest level.
- Lionel Messi scored Argentina's opening goal against Cape Verde in World Cup 2026, held in Miami
- The strike extended Messi's streak to eight consecutive World Cup games in which he has scored