Lionel Messi and Argentina advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 with a 3-2 victory over Cape Verde on Friday in a thrilling match that extended into extra time. Messi scored in the 29th minute for his record-extending 20th career World Cup goal. Lisandro Martinez added a goal in the 103rd minute to put Argentina ahead 2-1. Cape Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral and Deroy Duarte both scored equalizers that stunned the pro-Argentina crowd in South Florida. The go-ahead score for Argentina was credited as an own-goal after Cristian Romero's header deflected off Cape Verde's Diney Borges in the 111th minute.
Argentina will face Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday in the Round of 16. Egypt advanced by beating Australia in a penalty shootout earlier Friday. Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha, 40 years old, made 10 saves against Argentina, including five against Messi. Cape Verde became the smallest country to reach the knockout round after securing draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in their memorable World Cup debut. Messi has seven goals in this tournament, one more than France's Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race, and extended his World Cup record to 12 goals during his record eight-match scoring streak.