Argentina survives Cabo Verde scare to reach World Cup last 16

Argentina responded with urgency as Vozinha twice denied Messi, first by racing off his line to thwart the forward in a one-on-one and then by lunging to turn away a free kick just before the hydration break.

The Albiceleste pressed relentlessly, but Cabo Verde resisted with disciplined defending. Vozinha kept out attempts from Leandro Paredes and Messi during eight minutes of stoppage time as the Blue Sharks held out and forced the match into an additional half hour.

Only two minutes into the extra time, Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina's lead, hammering the ball into the roof of the net after a corner was only partially cleared.

Vozinha then produced another outstanding save to keep Messi at bay before Lopes Cabral curled a superb finish beyond Emiliano Martinez to level the match once again.

Argentina went ahead for a third time in the 111th minute when Cristian Romero met Messi's corner with a header that deflected off Borges before finding the net.

Cabo Verde threatened another response as Emiliano Martinez denied Lopes Cabral, but Lionel Scaloni's side survived late pressure to reach the next round.