arts
Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time thriller, advancing to World Cup Round of 16
By Matthew Garcia at WSVN 7 News
· July 4, 2026
· 2 min read
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 on Friday and advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 in a thrilling match in which the tiny island nation challenged the reigning champion until the final minutes of extra time. The go-ahead score for Argentina was credited as
Key takeaway (AP) — Lionel Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 on Friday and advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 in a thrilling match in which the tiny island nation challenged the reigning champion until the final minutes of extra time.
Why this matters in The Miami
The thrilling match between Argentina and Cape Verde at Miami Gardens brings attention to South Florida's role as a hub for international soccer. The large and passionate crowd in attendance is a testament to the area's strong Latin American and Caribbean communities, who closely follow the sport. As Argentina advances to the next round, local fans will be watching closely to see how they fare against Egypt in Atlanta. The success of Cape Verde, a small island nation, in reaching the knockout round also highlights the diversity and global reach of soccer, which is reflected in the cultural landscape of Miami. The city's own soccer enthusiasts, who gather in neighborhoods like Little Havana and Wynwood to watch matches, will likely be discussing the exciting game for days to come. With its rich cultural heritage and strong soccer tradition, Miami is an ideal location for hosting international soccer events, and the city will likely continue to attract high-profile matches in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by WSVN 7 News . The Miami 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 WSVN 7 News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: arts ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: WSVN 7 News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 on Friday and advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 in a thrilling match in which the tiny island nation challenged the reigning champion until the final minutes of extra time. The go-ahead score for Argentina was credited as
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by WSVN 7 News and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Matthew Garcia at WSVN 7 News. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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