Defending champions Argentina booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals with a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde early Saturday in Miami.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring after finishing a through ball from Lisandro Martínez, but Deroy Duarte equalized for Cape Verde in the 59th minute with a low strike.

Argentina regained the lead early in the first period of extra time through Lisandro Martínez, who headed home from a corner. However, Sidney Cabral leveled the match again in the 103rd minute with a powerful long-range effort.

The decisive goal came in the 111th minute when Cristian Romero’s header from a Messi corner deflected off defender Dini Borges for an own goal.

Argentina will now face Egypt in the quarterfinals after the Pharaohs eliminated Australia in a penalty shootout.