LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – World Champions Argentina struggled to defeat debutants Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time at the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 while Colombia edged Ghana with a narrow 1-0 victory.
After Lionel Messi put Argentina ahead 1-0 in the 29th minute, Cape Verde came alive early in the second half to even the score on a goal from Deroy Duarte in the 59th minute.
Early in extra time, Argentina again pulled ahead 2-1 with a goal from Lisandro Martinez in the 92nd minute.
But the resilient and defiant Cape Verde wouldn’t go away, responding with a perfectly placed curler off the foot of Sidny Lopes Cabral that landed in the upper right-hand corner of the net for a game-tying goal in the 103rd minute.
Argentina finally got the game-winning goal on an own-goal off the head of Cape Verde’s Diney Borges in the 111th minute after a corner kick from Messi.
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Colombia Edge Ghana 1-0
Meanwhile, Colombia produced a disciplined and clinical performance to defeat Ghana 1-0 and continue their impressive World Cup campaign.
Néstor Lorenzo’s men dominated proceedings for much of the encounter, limiting Ghana’s attacking threats while taking their chances at the other end.
Colombia struck first through Jhon Arias after patiently probing the Ghanaian defence.
Ghana struggled to create clear-cut opportunities despite enjoying spells of possession, with Colombia’s organised backline frustrating every attempt at a comeback.
The victory sees Colombia progress to the round of 16, where they will take on Switzerland, who defeated Algeria 2-0 to secure their own place in the knockout stage.
For Ghana, the defeat brings an end to their World Cup journey despite an encouraging campaign that saw the Black Stars emerge from the group stage.
With Argentina and Colombia joining the round-of-16 qualifiers, South America’s strong representation in the knockout rounds continues as the race for football’s biggest prize intensifies.
