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Argentina vs Cape Verde LIVE, FIFA World Cup 2026: Lionel Messi has scored seven goals for Argentina so far at the World Cup. (AP Photo)
Argentina vs Cape Verde World Cup 2026 Match Live Updates: Tiny Cape Verde, first timers at the FIFA World Cup, have dragged defending champions Argentina and football legend Lionel Messi to extra time after both sides were deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes in their Round of 32 game at the FIFA World Cup.
Lionel Messi scored in the 29th minute to give Argentina a 1-0 lead heading into half-time. But Deroy Duarte scored in the 59th minute to restore parity, and it’s stayed that way till the 90th minute. Messi, who had become the only player in history to play 30 FIFA World Cup games at kick-off, also became the first player to cross the 20-goal mark at FIFA World Cups. This was Messi’s 7th goal in the ongoing edition of the World Cup, which makes him the Golden Boot leader ahead of Kylian Mbappe. The goal also means he’s scored in his last 8 appearances at the FIFA World Cup.
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It’s a David vs Goliath clash between defending champions Argentina and Cape Verde, the smallest nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Argentina have thumped all their opponents so far, brushing aside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Lionel Messi has scored six of the team’s eight goals. Cape Verde, meanwhile, have conceded just two goals while staying undefeated through the group stages. It’s literally a clash between an unstoppable force and an immovable object.
Updated Golden Boot race after Messi's goal
1 Lionel Messi (Argentina) 7 goals 0 assists
2 Kylian Mbappé (France): 6 goals 2 assists
3 Erling Haaland (Norway) 5 goals 0 assists
4 Harry Kane (England) 5 goals 0 assist
5 Ousmane Dembélé (France) 4 goals 2 assists
6 Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) 4 goals 1 assist
7 Vinícius Júnior (Brazil) 4 goals 1 assist
8 Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal) 4 goals 1 assist
Norway, England, France, Spain, Brazil and Portugal have all clinched spots in the round of 16; Argentina and Messi need a win over Cape Verde to join them. Messi, who resumes his chase of the Golden Boot, has been on an absolute goal-scoring tear, with at least one goal in his last seven World Cup matches going back to 2022 — something no men’s player has ever accomplished in the tournament’s history. The Golden Boot is something Messi has never won. He finished second in that race with seven goals at the 2022 World Cup, one behind Mbappé, and tied for third with four goals at the 2014 World Cup.
Argentina have swept aside Algeria, Austria and Jordan to finish on top of Group J. Cabo Verde have frustrated former champions Spain to a 0-0 draw before pulling off draws against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia too.
SCROLL DOWN TO READ ALL OUT LIVE UPDATES FROM THE ARGENTINA VS CAPE VERDE GAME
Six goals each, but Mbappe leads Messi in Golden Boot race thanks to crucial assist rule
FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi in joint lead. (AP Photo)
The FIFA World Cup 2026 has truly been a goalfest, with one of the most exciting Golden Boot races unfolding across the Americas.
All the expected names have delivered for their respective teams as the fight for the world title intensifies. The list of leading goal scorers is led by two giants of contemporary football – Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
Legendary Argentine Messi averages two goals per match at this edition, with six goals to his name in the three games he has played so far.
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