Pico Lopes and Cape Verde’s World Cup adventure ends in extra time against Argentina

Press Association Sports Staff

Roberto Pico Lopes and Cape Verde’s breathtaking World Cup debut ended in heartbreak at the hands of Argentina after Diney Borges’ extra-time own-goal handed the world champions a 3-2 win in Miami.

In a remarkable last-32 encounter that will be talked about for decades, the African side twice hit back to stun the defending champions, the second time via what was undoubtedly the moment of the tournament so far – left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral scoring with a sensational strike into the top corner in extra time.

Dublin-born Shamrock Rovers player Lopes has already made history as part of the smallest country in history to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Lisandro Martinez had scored earlier in the extra period to make it 2-1 after Lionel Messi’s first-half goal had been cancelled out by Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte.

Cabral’s goal and the ensuing outpouring of emotion as he climbed into the crowd to embrace his family looked like being the moment that would define the match – and the World Cup.

Instead Argentina snatched it, Cristian Romero going for the header from Messi’s corner and in an effort to stop him, Borges put through his own net.

Messi gave the minnows their first fright after 15 minutes, breaking into the box and flashing a shot low beyond the far post.

His next chance was not long in coming and before the half-hour he had struck his 20th World Cup finals goal.

Martinez lofted a ball over the top to find Messi peeling off the shoulder of Borges. It took one touch with the outside of the left boot to bring it down and one more to lift the ball into the roof of Vozinha’s goal.

Laros Duarte brought a first save of the tie out of Emiliano Martinez eight minutes into the second half, a drive from outside the box that was easily stopped by the Aston Villa goalkeeper.

Cape Verde had acquitted themselves admirably and it was not undeserved when they levelled in the 59th minute.

Ryan Mendes played a lovely ball through the legs of his defender, finding Duarte who had the freedom of the Argentina penalty area. It was a lovely finish from the angle, Duarte shooting through the legs of Lisandro Martinez and in at the far post.

Vozinha denied Messi moments later when the forward looked certain to score, then the goalkeeper showed alertness to avoid being caught out by a quick Messi free-kick.

The game moved into extra-time, already a remarkable achievement against the side ranked second in the world by the team ranked 13th in Africa.

It looked like being as good as it would get for the underdogs.

Just over two minutes of the extra period had been played when Lisandro Martinez found space at the far post from a corner and fired high into the roof of the net.

But Cape Verde were not done. The strike from Cabral from far out on the left wing almost defied belief, swinging into the very top corner past the despairing dive of Emiliano Martinez.

It made what followed even more heartbreaking for the African side. With 10 minutes of extra-time to play, Romero rose highest form Messi’s corner and Borges inadvertently sent the ball past Vozinha.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni said: “I have to give credit to our opponents – the truth is, when people say there’s no such thing as an easy opponent, today Cape Verde proved they’re a great team.

“The truth is, everyone finished really tired, because they gave it their all.”

His opposite number Bubista said his side “showed our identity”.

“We drew twice against the world champions, we took it to extra-time… more than anything, it’s being proud of our players who were dignified in the World Cup,” he said.