Argentina captain Lionel Messi conceded his side had 'many things to correct' after the defending champions survived a major scare to defeat Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in their 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage clash at Miami Stadium on Saturday, 4 July. The narrow win books Argentina's place in the Round of 16, where they will face Egypt.

How Argentina Scraped Through

Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, but Argentina were pushed back twice by a tenacious Cape Verde side. The tie was ultimately settled by an extra-time own goal, forced by a Messi corner, in what proved to be a far harder contest than the scoreline suggests. The result keeps Argentina unbeaten in the tournament.

Messi's Verdict on the Performance

Speaking after the match, Messi was candid about the team's shortcomings. 'Today, we put in a huge effort, as always, playing well and playing badly, just like we always say, but I think the important thing now is to rest, think about what's coming next and try to take positives from today's game. Beyond just qualifying, I think there are positives because we did some good things, and we also need to correct the bad ones, which I think were many today as well,' Messi said.

He elaborated on how Argentina lost control after taking the lead: 'We knew it was going to be a very tough match; this team hadn't lost to Spain and Uruguay for a reason. We did the hardest part, which was finding the first goal. We thought that from then on, we would start to find our game and be more relaxed, but it was the complete opposite. We lost the ball, we sat back, we couldn't pressure them well, and they struck with their strengths.'

A Record-Extending Moment for Messi

The 29th-minute strike extended Messi's extraordinary run to eight consecutive FIFA World Cup matches in which he has found the net — a record that underlines his enduring influence on the sport's biggest stage. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has now scored across multiple World Cup tournaments, cementing a legacy that few players in history can rival.

Cape Verde's Credentials Put in Context

Messi was quick to credit the opposition, noting that Cape Verde had not lost to Spain and Uruguay in their group campaign. 'We knew it was going to be difficult; this is a knockout tournament, and nobody gives you anything for free,' he said. Notably, this was not the first time a so-called lesser side tested a tournament favourite in 2026 — the pattern of upsets has defined the group stage.

What's Next for Argentina

Argentina now prepare for a Round of 16 tie against Egypt, with Messi stressing the importance of rest and reflection before the knockout stages. The defending champions are chasing history: a successful title defence would make them the first team in 64 years to retain the FIFA World Cup. The last side to achieve that feat was Brazil in 1958 and 1962. With clear defensive and pressing issues exposed against Cape Verde, the coaching staff will have significant work to do before the Egypt clash.