Day 23 of the 2026 World Cup delivered two of the competition’s most gripping knockout matches, with Argentina needing extra time to dispatch debutants Cape Verde 3-2, while Egypt ended Australia‘s tournament run via a 4-2 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw. The round of 32 concludes later when Colombia face Ghana at 03:30 CET.
Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde (AET)
Lionel Messi’s 20th World Cup goal opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark, the captain controlling a pass from Lisandro Martinez and beating goalkeeper Vozinha with a precise shot. Argentina carried the game through the first half, but Cape Verde’s threat was real enough to keep the match in the balance.
The Blue Sharks levelled through Deroy Duarte early in the second half. Duarte kept his composure and slotted past Emiliano Martinez in what was one of the tournament’s defining moments of the round. Argentina failed to regain the lead before the final whistle, sending the match to extra time.
Lisandro Martinez put Argentina back ahead minutes into the extra period, taking one touch to control before finishing into the roof of the net. Cape Verde refused to fold. Sidny Lopes Cabral struck from just outside the area, the ball curling into the top corner to make it 2-2 at the midpoint of extra time. A genuine World Cup upset was on the table.
Argentina’s winner came from an unlikely source. A Messi delivery was met by Cristian Romero’s header, which deflected off Cape Verde defender Diney Borges and went in. The own goal ended a contest that the defending champions will look back on with relief rather than satisfaction. Argentina will face Egypt in the round of 16.
Australia 1-1 Egypt (Egypt advance 4-2 on penalties)
Egypt took an early lead through Emam Ashour, who headed home from a Karim Hafez delivery for his second goal of the tournament. Australia failed to pose any real threat in the first half, and Egypt looked comfortable heading into the break.
The Socceroos drew level ten minutes into the second half when Mohamed Hany turned a cross into his own net. Both teams pushed for a winner without breaking the deadlock, and Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach made a crucial save late in extra time to keep his side alive before being replaced by Mat Ryan ahead of the shootout.
Egypt converted all four of their penalties. Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington both missed for Australia, ending the Socceroos’ run at the tournament. Egypt reach the World Cup last 16 for the first time since 1934 and will now meet Argentina.
Colombia vs Ghana — 03:30 CET
The final match of the round of 32 brings together two sides who impressed in the group stage. Colombia went toe-to-toe with Portugal and produced some of the competition’s most direct attacking football. Ghana found a way past Panama before frustrating England, showing the tactical discipline to compete with stronger opposition. This one is genuinely difficult to call.
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