Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde After Extra Time
- Lionel Messi scored Argentina's opener
- Sidny Lopes Cabral and Deroy Duarte both equalised for Cape Verde
- Lisandro Martinez put Argentina back ahead in extra time
- Cristian Romero's header forced the decisive Diney Borges own goal
- Argentina needed extra time despite dominating territory and shot volume
- Cape Verde leave the tournament after a brilliant debut run
- Argentina now face Egypt in R16
- Fantasy focus: Messi, Lautaro, Lisandro, Romero, Emiliano Martinez and Mac Allister all stay live
Argentina are through, but Cape Verde made them sweat for every inch. Messi opened the scoring, Argentina looked in control for long spells, then Cape Verde kept landing emotional punches with two equalisers that turned the match into a proper knockout thriller.
The champions eventually found the route through extra time. Lisandro Martinez scored, then Cristian Romero attacked the box and his header became the Diney Borges own goal that finally broke Cape Verde. It was not a calm win, but it was a win that keeps the best fantasy name in the game alive.
Team Stats
The underlying numbers were very Argentina. They had 64% possession, 22 shots, 10 on target, 51 touches in the box and 2.16 xG. That is the attacking profile you want from a fantasy side before a kinder-looking R16 tie.
The warning is the goals conceded. Cape Verde only had 0.45 xG, but they still scored twice. Argentina defenders remain good R16 options because Egypt should not create like the elite teams, but this match was a reminder that clean sheets are never automatic in knockout football.
Expected Goals: Argentina v Cape Verde
Player Stats
| Player | Team | Price | Match read | Fantasy verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 10.0 | Scored again and remains the Argentina attack hub | The best fantasy target from this fixture. He now projects 8.9 xPts against Egypt. |
| Lisandro Martinez | Argentina | 4.6 | Scored in extra time and gives Argentina a cheap defensive route | Excellent R16 value if he keeps his place. Goal threat plus Egypt matchup makes him interesting. |
| Cristian Romero | Argentina | 4.9 | Attacked the decisive ball that led to the own goal | Strong defender pick. Set-piece threat and clean-sheet route both help. |
| Lautaro Martinez | Argentina | 8.8 | Stayed central to Argentina's attacking plan | Good forward option behind Messi if you want Argentina attack at a lower price. |
| Alexis Mac Allister | Argentina | 6.6 | Control midfielder with final-third involvement | Nice mid-price route into Argentina if you do not want to spend on another premium. |
| Emiliano Martinez | Argentina | 5.0 | Conceded twice but Argentina still have the better R16 defensive outlook | Useful goalkeeper option for Egypt if you want Shield/clean-sheet upside. |
| Sidny Lopes Cabral | Cape Verde | - | Scored one of Cape Verde's equalisers | Great tournament story, but Cape Verde are eliminated. |
| Deroy Duarte | Cape Verde | - | Scored the other equaliser and gave Argentina a scare | Cape Verde are eliminated. |
Demon Notes
- Messi (10.0) is still the headline. Goal, role, penalties, set pieces and Egypt next make him a serious R16 captain shout.
- Argentina defenders are back in the conversation even after conceding twice, because the underlying match control was still strong.
- Lisandro Martinez (4.6) is the standout value defender if he starts again.
- Lautaro Martinez (8.8) is useful, but Messi is the cleaner premium route.
- Cape Verde were brilliant, but their fantasy assets are now done.
What It Means For Argentina v Egypt
Argentina v Egypt now becomes one of the cleaner R16 fantasy fixtures. Egypt have spirit, Salah and penalty-box danger, but Argentina should control the ball, territory and chances.
That makes Argentina players the priority. Messi is the captain-level pick, Lautaro is the forward alternative, and the defenders give you cheaper access to a team expected to spend long spells on top.
Best Players To Pick From Argentina v Egypt
| Name | Price | Expected points | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel Messi | 10.0 | 8.9 | Egypt |
| Lautaro Martinez | 8.8 | 6.5 | Egypt |
| Lisandro Martinez | 4.6 | 6.5 | Egypt |
| Facundo Medina | 4.0 | 6.5 | Egypt |
| Alexis Mac Allister | 6.6 | 6.4 | Egypt |
| Cristian Romero | 4.9 | 6.0 | Egypt |
| Emiliano Martinez | 5.0 | 5.8 | Egypt |
| Mohamed Salah | 10.0 | 4.9 | Argentina |
- Messi (10.0) is the clear top projected player from the tie and one of the strongest R16 captain options.
- Lisandro Martinez (4.6), Facundo Medina (4.0) and Cristian Romero (4.9) give Argentina defensive value without premium prices.
- Lautaro Martinez (8.8) is a strong forward route if you want Argentina attacking cover next to or instead of Messi.
- Salah (10.0) is always dangerous, but the projection gap says Argentina players are the better fantasy starting point.
Before you lock transfers, check our World Cup Fantasy projected points model. It updates as market prices, player props and confirmed routes move, so you can see whether Messi, Lautaro or the Argentina defenders are still the best R16 picks.