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Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time thriller, advancing to World Cup Round of 16
By Alanis Thames, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 4, 2026
· 4 min read
Lionel Messi wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief. His Argentina teammates did the same.A thrilling, unforgettable World Cup match with underdog Cape Verde was over — and the defending champions survived after being pushed to the brink.Cape Verde equalized in regulation...
Key takeaway Cape Verde equalized in regulation and again in extra time, but the Blue Sharks could not respond to Argentina's third goal, and La Albiceleste advanced to the Round of 16 with a 3-2 victory on Friday.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio 's vibrant soccer community is likely abuzz with the thrilling match between Argentina and Cape Verde, with many fans gathering in local watch parties and sports bars to cheer on their favorite teams. The city's strong Hispanic heritage and diverse cultural landscape make international soccer matches like this one a major draw, with fans from all over the city coming together to celebrate the beautiful game. As Argentina advances to the Round of 16, San Antonio fans will be eagerly anticipating their next match against Egypt, and local businesses may see a boost in sales as fans flock to watch the game on TV. With its own rich soccer tradition, San Antonio will be watching closely to see how the rest of the World Cup unfolds, and how local fans will come together to support their favorite teams.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Lionel Messi wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief. His Argentina teammates did the same.A thrilling, unforgettable World Cup match with underdog Cape Verde was over — and the defending champions survived after being pushed to the brink.Cape Verde equalized in regulation...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alanis Thames, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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