Cape Verde gave Argentina a mighty scare in their World Cup last-16 clash, nearly pulling off one of the tournament's biggest upsets. The underdogs took a shock lead in the first half before Argentina fought back to secure a 2-1 victory, according to match reports.
Match Details and Key Moments
The match, played at a packed stadium, saw Cape Verde take the lead in the 23rd minute through a clinical finish from forward Jamiro Monteiro. Argentina, the reigning champions, struggled to find their rhythm in the first half. Lionel Messi equalized just before halftime with a trademark curling shot, his fifth goal of the tournament.
In the second half, Argentina dominated possession but faced a resilient Cape Verde defense. The winning goal came in the 67th minute when Julián Álvarez capitalized on a defensive error to slot home. Cape Verde nearly equalized in stoppage time, but goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made a crucial save to preserve the win.
Fixture Chaos: Mexico vs England
Elsewhere, the Mexico vs England last-16 match descended into chaos due to a scheduling mix-up. The game was initially set to kick off at 4 p.m. local time but was delayed by 90 minutes after a technical issue with the stadium's floodlights. Fans were left frustrated as the delay disrupted travel plans and broadcast schedules.
When play finally began, England took an early lead through Harry Kane, but Mexico responded with a stunning equalizer from Hirving Lozano. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, forcing a penalty shootout. England prevailed 4-2, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saving two spot-kicks.
Morocco and Canada: A Surprise Victory
Morocco continued their impressive run by defeating Canada 3-1 in their last-16 encounter. Morocco's star winger, Hakim Ziyech, opened the scoring with a free kick in the 15th minute. Canada equalized through Alphonso Davies, but Morocco regained the lead before halftime via a header from Achraf Hakimi.
In the second half, Morocco sealed the win with a third goal from Youssef En-Nesyri. The victory sets up a quarterfinal clash with France, who earlier beat Paraguay 2-0. Morocco's coach, Walid Regragui, praised his team's discipline and tactical execution. "We believed we could win, and the players showed incredible character," he said.
France and Paraguay: Comfortable Win for Les Bleus
France cruised past Paraguay 2-0 in their last-16 match, with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann. Mbappé scored in the 12th minute after a swift counter-attack, while Griezmann doubled the lead in the 55th minute with a precise finish. Paraguay struggled to create clear chances, managing only two shots on target.
France's victory sets up a highly anticipated quarterfinal against Morocco, a rematch of their 2022 semifinal. France coach Didier Deschamps acknowledged the challenge ahead. "Morocco are a strong team, and we must be at our best to beat them," he said.
