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Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time thriller, advancing to World Cup Round of 16
By Associated Press at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 4, 2026
· 4 min read
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief. His Argentina teammates did the same.A thrilling, unforgettable World Cup match with underdog Cape Verde was over — and the defending champions survived after being pushed to the brink.Cape Ve...
Key takeaway Cape Verde equalized in regulation and again in extra time, but the Blue Sharks could not respond to Argentina’s third goal, and La Albiceleste advanced to the Round of 16 with a 3-2 victory on Friday.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
Atlanta will soon host Argentina in the Round of 16, and the city's soccer fans are in for a treat after the team's thrilling 3-2 victory over Cape Verde. The match against Egypt on Tuesday will be a highly anticipated event, and local businesses can expect a boost from the influx of fans and visitors. The fact that Argentina was pushed to the brink by underdog Cape Verde suggests that the team may be vulnerable to an upset, which could make for an exciting matchup at the Atlanta venue. With Cape Verde's impressive World Cup debut still fresh in mind, Atlanta's own soccer enthusiasts may be inspired to turn out and cheer on their preferred team. As the city prepares to host this high-stakes match, local residents can look forward to an electric atmosphere and a chance to see some of the world's top soccer players in action.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief. His Argentina teammates did the same.A thrilling, unforgettable World Cup match with underdog Cape Verde was over — and the defending champions survived after being pushed to the brink.Cape Ve...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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