Egypt win their first knockout stage match, downing Australia on penalties, to reach the Round of 16
Cabo Verde twice come from behind before falling in extra time against Argentina
Colombia-Ghana to complete the Round of 32 in the late kick-off
It was another extraordinary day at this wonderful , a tournament which just keeps on delivering. Lionel Messi orchestrated the game-winning goal, and reclaimed the lead in the , but it was Cabo Verde that captured hearts across the planet.
Twice the debutants came back from a goal down against the champions before an extra-time own goal from Diney Borges won it for Argentina.
They will face Egypt in the Round of 16, after they downed Australia on penalties in the day’s opening fixture.
Egypt made history in Dallas as they won a knockout match for the first time, downing an Australian side that were targeting the same outcome. The Pharaohs struck first as an unmarked Emam Ashour snuck in to head past Patrick Beach from a 13th minute free-kick and that was the way things stayed until the break.
Omar Marmoush missed a gilt-edged chance to double the lead immediately after the restart and Egypt were punished for that as Mohamed Hany nodded into his own goal from an Aiden O’Neill free-kick. Thereafter Beach made a fine save to deny Rami Rabia before he was surprisingly withdrawn for Mathew Ryan as the contest went to penalties.
With Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missing from 12 yards, Hossam Abdelmaguid converted Egypt’s fourth straight penalty to send them into the last 16.
Things started in Miami, as they often do, with a little bit of Lionel Messi magic. Lisandro Martinez’s lofted ball was killed with a brilliant touch, before his second saw a shot that flashed past Vozinha to put Argentina ahead just shy of the half hour.
As they have shown all tournament, Cabo Verde though have more than just spirit; they also have genuine ability. Nonetheless, equalising against the defending champions was still a seismic moment, as Deroy Duarte collect Ryan Mendes’ cross to fire through Lisandro Martinez’ legs and past Emi Martinez.
A pair of wonderful Vozinha saves and fine Pico Lopes clearance helped keep things level as the contest went to extra time. There, an unmarked Lisandro Martinez lashed past Vozinha at his near post after a Messi corner was flicked on by Alexis Mac Allister in the 92nd minute, but still Cabo Verde weren’t done.
Remarkably the Blue Sharks drew level again, and with one of the goals of the tournament, as Sidny Lopes Cabral danced past Mac Allister and lasered a shot into the far corner of Martinez’ goal.
There was to be no third comeback though, as a 111th minute Diney Borges own goal won it for Argentina on an extraordinary evening in Miami.
Australia have played three knockout ties at World Cups and lost them all, going down to Italy (1-2) in 2006 and Argentina (1-2) in 2022 before succumbing to Egypt.
Lionel Messi has become the oldest South American player to score in the knockout phase of the World Cup at the age of 39 years and 9 days. He surpasses the record set in 1954 by Obdulio Varela of Uruguay who was 36 years and 279 days old when he scored against England.
Sources: FIFA Official
