Wonder goal from Sidny Cabral, Vozinha heroics, and Lionel Messi records - What you missed as Argentina survive huge shock against Cabo Verde

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Argentina's 3-2 win over Cabo Verde was a World Cup classic which included one of the all-time great goals scored by Sidny Lopes Cabral, more goalkeeping heroics from Vozinha, and Lionel Messi breaking more records.

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Cabo Verde have been one of the standout stories on their World Cup debut, qualifying from a group containing European champions Spain and South American heavyweights Uruguay.

And they produced a remarkable display to give defending champions Argentina a huge scare, twice coming from behind over 120 gripping minutes, and then coming agonisingly close with chances at the death to securing a penalty shoot-out.

By the end, the holders were desperately clinging on as they eeked out a 3-2 win.

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But what were the key moments of a thrilling game?

Messi sets more records

Messi struck the opening blow on a dramatic night with his seventh goal of the tournament, putting him top of the Golden Boot charts, one ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappe.

It was a fine goal too, with Messi collecting a chipped pass over the top from Lisandro Martinez and then finishing past Vozinha.

The goal saw Messi become the first player ever to net in eight World Cup matches in a row on a day when he also broke the record for most ever appearances at the tournament (30).

Messi is also the first player in World Cup history to score seven or more goals in two different editions of the tournament (2022 and 2026).

He also now has 20 World Cup goals, two ahead of Mbappe in the all-time standings, and has 12 goal contributions in the knockout rounds of the World Cup (six goals and six assists), moving ahead of Pele and Mbappe (11 each) for the most since 1966.

Not bad at the age of 39.

Vozinha heroics deny Messi more

Messi’s opener did not see the floodgates open for Argentina as might have been expected.

Cabo Verde defended well and then stunned the holders in the second half when they equalised through Deroy Duarte.

Messi looked Argentina’s likeliest source of scoring a second and he twice came close, only to be denied by Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.

The 40-year-old, who has become a social media sensation at the tournament, first spread himself big to deny Messi when he was clean through on goal.

Vozinha then dived across his goal to palm away a free-kick from the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Messi threatened again from a free-kick in injury-time, this time going low with his effort, but again Vozinha was there to make the save.

Vozinha finished the game with eight saves, adding to his seven saves in the goalless draw against Spain in the group stage.

He signs off from the tournament with 18 saves to his name and behind only Peter Shilton (28 in 1990) and Dino Zoff (27 in 1982) for most saves at a World Cup aged 40 or over (via Opta).

Cabral’s wonder goal

In years to come, the standout moment from this thrilling game will surely be Cabral’s stunning goal.

When Cabo Verde fell 2-1 behind early in extra-time, it looked like a tough ask for them to rally again.

But Cabral provided a moment of magic to get them back on level terms.

Picking up the ball on the left side of the box, he cut inside on his right foot and curled a superb shot into the far corner beyond the reach of Argentina goalkeeper Emi Martinez.

The goal sparked wild celebrations as Cabral was mobbed by his team-mates and then ran into the stands to celebrate further with supporters.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright was left stunned by the effort.

”We are seeing unbelievable scenes, scenes we are not meant to be seeing,” said Wright on ITV.

”When it went to 2-1 we all thought that was probably it…what they are doing is unbelievable.”

Are Argentina vulnerable?

Had Argentina lost to Cabo Verde, ranked at No. 67 in the FIFA world rankings, it would have been one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

They didn’t, but the manner of their performance might have given their rivals hope.

There were several misplaced passes in defence and Cabo Verde were afforded far too much time and space on the right side for their first goal.

Messi was again excellent and at the heart of almost everything good in attack.

But there wasn’t much else happening in the final third as Argentina struggled to break down Cabo Verde and failed to create a hatful of chances.

Up next for the defending champions are Egypt, who beat Australia on penalties in the last 32.

It will be the first international meeting between Messi and Mohamed Salah.

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