Argentina are through to the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup, but they made hard work of it. The defending champions beat Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in Miami, with a Denis Idélson own goal in the 111th minute settling a match that had twice slipped from their grasp.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, only for Droy Duarte to equalise for Cape Verde in the 59th. Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina’s lead in the 93rd minute, but Sidney Cabral levelled again for Cape Verde in the 103rd, leaving the contest wide open heading into the final stages of extra time.
The decisive moment came from the most unlikely source. Cape Verde defender Denis Idélson turned the ball into his own net in the 111th minute, sending Argentina through and eliminating the African side from the tournament.
Argentina will face Egypt in the round of 16 on 7 July.
