Another Argentina corner finally got the job done when Cristian Romero rose highest to head Messi\u2019s corner, the ball going in after taking a deflection off Diney Borges for an own goal. <\/p>\n
La Albiceleste will face Egypt next on Wednesday in Atlanta, but there were concerns for manager Lionel Scaloni during his 100th match in charge despite what appears a favourable draw. <\/p>\n
Cape Verde served warning of what they were capable of by holding European champions Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws in Group H to reach the knockout stages in their first World Cup appearance. <\/p>\n
The Blue Sharks coach Bubista said the meeting with Messi and the world champions would be \u201cthe game of our lives\u201d and it showed in a spirited display that had Argentina sweating for more than 120 minutes. <\/p>\n
On his return to the city where he plays his club football for Inter Miami, Messi\u2019s every move was greeted like a god by the nearly 65,000 crowd that was awash with sky blue and white jerseys. <\/p>\n
The 39-year-old produced a moment of magic with a feather-like touch from Lisandro Martinez\u2019s pass to set up a high finish past Vozinha to open the scoring. <\/p>\n
In doing so, Messi extended his own record of scoring in eight consecutive World Cup games and opened up a two-goal cushion once more over France\u2019s Kylian Mbappe in the battle to be the competition\u2019s all-time top goalscorer. <\/p>\n
Emi Martinez had been a spectator in the first half, but the Aston Villa goalkeeper was forced into a smart save by Duarte as Cape Verde started the second period with more attacking intent. <\/p>\n
Emi Martinez was powerless for the equaliser moments later when Duarte was picked out by Ryan Mendes and rifled a low shot into the far corner. <\/p>\n
Cape Verde\u2019s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha became an internet sensation after his man-of-the-match showing against Spain last month. <\/p>\n
His nearly 18 million Instagram followers will have enjoyed him winning a one-on-one battle with Messi when the eight-time Ballon d\u2019Or winner seemed certain to restore Argentina\u2019s lead. <\/p>\n
Irish-born Pico Lopes was next to be a Cape Verdean hero with a crucial intervention to deny Enzo Fernandez a tap-in after more inspiration from Messi created an opening. <\/p>\n
Lisandro Martinez\u2019s rising drive after a corner fell the Manchester United defender\u2019s way two minutes into extra time looked to have swung the momentum decisively in Argentina\u2019s favour once more. <\/p>\n
Deroy Duarte celebrates his goal against Argentina. Photo \/ AFP<\/p>\n
But again Cape Verde refused to bow and levelled with one of the goals of the tournament when Lopes Cabral smashed the ball into the top corner. <\/p>\n
The fullback ran off into the stands to celebrate with his partner. <\/p>\n
Elsewhere around the crowd, the boisterous atmosphere that had accompanied most of the evening gave way to nervous tension as penalties approached. <\/p>\n
Scaloni could only wipe his furrowed brow with relief when Messi\u2019s corner was turned in for an own goal by the unfortunate Borges. <\/p>\n
Yet an exhausted Argentina still had to ride their luck from a Cape Verde onslaught in the final seconds. <\/p>\n
Emi Martinez this time won the battle with Lopes Cabral by tipping over another sweet strike that was heading in. <\/p>\n