Lionel Messi's Argentina secured their place in the next round of the World Cup after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde. The match, considered one of the tournament's most exciting fixtures, saw Argentina pushed to their limits by the resilient Cape Verdean side.
Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, his seventh goal in four games. However, Cape Verde, ranked 64th in the FIFA rankings, fought back, with Diroy Duarte leveling the score just before the hour mark. Lisandro Martinez then put Argentina back in front in extra time, but Sidny Lopes Cabral responded with a spectacular goal that drew applause from fans and players alike. Christian Romero ultimately sealed the win for Argentina with a late header.
Argentina will now face Egypt in the next stage. Reports suggest that the Egyptian players watched highlights of Kylian Mbappe's penalties before their own shootout against Australia, a tactic that appeared to be successful. Egypt secured their spot in the Round of 16 for the first time ever.
In another match, Colombia defeated Ghana 1-0, with Jhon Arias scoring the decisive goal. Colombia's victory sets them up for a tie against Switzerland. Ghana, who registered only four shots on target throughout the tournament, were eliminated.
The tournament is also generating interest beyond the pitch. Actor Samuel L. Jackson was in attendance at the Egypt vs. Australia match, presenting the match ball. He was seen interacting with Egyptian player Mo Salah. Jackson, a known Liverpool fan, has been a notable figure at some of the games.
Looking ahead, host nation Canada faces a challenging match against Morocco, entering the game as underdogs. Canada has a history of early exits in previous World Cup appearances. Kylian Mbappe continues his pursuit of the Golden Boot, having already scored six goals, and his team, France, is predicted to face Morocco in a potential quarter-final matchup, echoing a semi-final clash from four years ago. Paraguay, who caused an upset by eliminating Germany, is set to play France. The outcome of these matches could see Canada become the first host nation eliminated from the tournament.
Spectators have also noted the contrast between the grandeur of sporting events and realities on the ground, with one observer describing a scene in Dallas involving a man pushing a shopping trolley past a statue symbolizing commerce, highlighting societal disparities.
Notable statistics from the day include Messi's 203rd appearance for Argentina, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo's international cap record, and his 12th goal in his last eight World Cup games. The last time Messi failed to score at international level was in a group stage match against Poland in 2024.