MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. \u2013 If Lionel Messi<\/a> and Argentina took one lesson from Friday\u2019s wild win over Cape Verde in the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> Round of 32, it\u2019s that repeating as back-to-back champions will be no walk in the park.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Their opponent reminded them of that, flirting with an all-time World Cup upset before La Albiceleste escaped with a 3-2 extra-time victory<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe truth is we knew. We knew it was going to be a very tough game,\u201d Messi told reporters of Cape Verde\u2019s Cinderella run<\/a> in their debut tournament appearance, which included stunning Group Stage draws against two other World Cup-winning sides.<\/p>\n \u201dThere\u2019s a reason this team didn\u2019t lose against Spain and Uruguay.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Just too good from Leo Messi. \ud83e\udd0c pic.twitter.com\/S3jTgA48nj<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Major League Soccer (@MLS) July 3, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n And yet, Cape Verde did<\/em> lose to Argentina, ending a historic World Cup for the tiny African archipelago nation of approximately 530,000 people that captivated a global audience.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Blue Sharks went out with their boots on, however, rallying twice and forcing overtime before a dramatic 111th-minute own goal finally tilted the balance in La Albiceleste\u2019s favor.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is kill or be killed, and nobody\u2019s going to give you anything,\u201d said Messi, who opened the scoring in the 29th minute and whipped in the corner kick that led to Argentina\u2019s game-winner, continuing a historic tournament<\/a>\u00a0for Inter Miami CF<\/a>\u2019s superstar No. 10.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile we tend to look down on other national teams by name, we knew this wasn\u2019t going to be easy by any means,\u201d he added. \u201cThis World Cup especially \u2013 everything is very even; every game is going to be extremely difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Another special night for Messi \ud83d\udc10 pic.twitter.com\/awoNFlJV6C<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 4, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n Things could effectively get more difficult for Argentina in their next match: A Round of 16 date with legendary former Liverpool FC forward Mo Salah and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on Tuesday (12 pm ET | FOX).<\/p>\n The Pharaohs are coming off an exhausting win of their own in the Round of 32, overcoming Australia<\/a> in a penalty-kick shootout to earn their first-ever World Cup knockout-stage win. \u00a0<\/p>\n For Messi, the key to success will be avoiding the same mistakes that allowed Cape Verde to nearly end Argentina’s dreams of a repeat World Cup title.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe important thing now is to rest, think ahead for what\u2019s coming and try to take positives from today\u2019s game,\u201d Messi said.<\/p>\n \u201cBeyond advancing, we did good things. We also have to correct the bad things, of which there were a lot today.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A game between Argentina and Cape Verde that will leave you speechless \ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddf7\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\uddfb pic.twitter.com\/DDd2RuOWLV<\/a><\/p>\n\n
Toughest test to date<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Egypt await<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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