Argentina prevailed over Cape Verde Islands 3-2 in a tightly contested Round of 32 match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, giving Argentina control through much of the first half. Cape Verde mounted a second-half comeback, with D. Duarte equalizing in the 59th minute before S. Lopes Cabral put them ahead in the 103rd minute. The match turned dramatically when D. Borges conceded an own goal in the 111th minute, allowing L. Martinez to secure Argentina's comeback victory. Messi, named player of the match with a 9.3 rating, led Argentina's dominant possession play, though Cape Verde's goalkeeper made eight saves to keep the contest competitive. Argentina's superior passing accuracy at 92 percent and ten shots on goal ultimately proved decisive. Both teams have now qualified for the next stage.