Argentina 3-2 Cabo Verde – World Cup round of 32 result as Diney Borges’ own goal in extra time clinches rollercoaster win for the holders

Holders Argentina needed an own goal in extra-time to squeeze into the round of 16 with a 3-2 victory after Cabo Verde had threatened one of the greatest World Cup shocks of all-time.

Lionel Messi had marked a night of personal milestones with a magnificent opener to break the African minnows’ resistance, collecting Lisandro Martinez’s excellent long pass and lifting a wonderful finish over Vozinha just shy of the half hour.

It saw the 39-year-old become the first player in history 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’s statistics overshadowed a lacklustre showing from the South Americans, which led to The Blue Sharks stunning the football world when Deroy Duarte equalised with a smart, low finish on 59 minutes.

La Albiceleste pushed for a late winner in normal time but Vozinha, whose heroics against Spain caught the imagination of the watching world, was at it again with a series of show-stopping saves to deny Messi and co.

Lionel Scaloni’s men regained the lead two minutes into extra-time through Lisandro Martinez, but the minnows levelled again when Sidny Cabral curled home one of the great World Cup goals from the left side of the area on 103 minutes.

Argentina came to the fore once more with Cristian Romero’s header from Messi’s corner deflecting into the goal off Diney Borges after 111 minutes.

Cabo Verde continued to press right until the final seconds but could not muster another equaliser and bowed out in a blaze of glory.

La Albiceleste will now meet Egypt in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, July 7 at Atlanta Stadium (17:00 BST kick off).

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”Just an absolute immense game of football. I want to talk about Cabo Verde’s spirit, but they have got far, far more than that,” said McCoist on ITV.

”They have been the story (of the World Cup).”

On Cabral’s second equaliser in ET: ”For me, one of the best goals I’ve ever seen.”

It took an own goal in extra time for the holders to scrape through.

The night started as a glorious list of Messi stats as he threatened to take the spotlight, but back stormed The Blue Sharks to force extra time and almost pull off one of the greatest shocks of all-time.

Argentina 3-2 Cabo Verde

Three minutes added.

Cabo Verde are throwing everything at it now!

Dailon Livramento blazes over from a clear position on the right side of the box - but the flag then goes up to spare his blushes.

Emi Martinez just about claws the ball away from Gilson Benchimol after the substitute almost got on the end of a flick into the box.

Martinez tips Cabral's whipped left-wing free kick over the crossbar.

Montiel booked.

The holders have a number of players down with a bit of cramp, but the finish line is nearing.

Cabo Verde will throw caution to the wind now.

The holders take the lead for the third time in the match as Romero's header from Messi's corner deflects in off Diney Borges.

We are back underway for the second half of ET.

Can Cabo Verde pull off one of the greatest shocks in history here?

Argentina 2-2 Cabo Verde

Three minutes have been added.

Messi almost puts Scaloni's men back in front for a third time, but he is again denied by Vozinha.

Incredible!

The Blue Sharks are level once again and it's one of the great World Cup goals.

Sidny Cabral is the man who will go down in the history books as he cuts in from the left and curls a stunning strike into the far corner.