Argentina3–2Cape Verde

Argentina needed 111 minutes and a chaotic own goal to survive the biggest scare of this World Cup. Messi put them ahead at 29' with a poacher's finish from six yards, fed by Lisandro Martínez. Cape Verde hit back at 59' through Deroy Duarte, who curled a brilliant shot across goal from a tight angle on the right — a finish that belonged on any stage. Still 1-1 at full time. Into extra time, Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina's lead at 92' with a left-foot finish after Mac Allister headed on a corner. Then Sidny Cabral leveled again at 103' with another composed finish. At 111', a cross into a crowded box was met by Diney Borges, who turned it into his own net. The world champions staggered into the Round of 16.