Argentina won 3-2 in extra time and backed up the result with more play and more chances

Argentina beat 3-2 Cabo Verde in extra time at Hard Rock Stadium, and the standout fact is that the result matched what they produced: 2.1 goal chances to 0.4. They also held 64% possession, took 22 shots, and found Lionel Messi and Lisandro Martínez to be their two highest-rated players.

Tactical read

The match showed a clear difference in initiative. Argentina controlled the ball more (64% to 36%) and also created more: 22 shots with 10 on target, compared with 13 shots and 5 on target for Cabo Verde. That edge in volume and accuracy in shooting explains why the Argentine team generated 2.1 and the opponent only 0.4.

The game, however, was not linear. Argentina took the lead with Lionel Messi's goal in the 29', but Cabo Verde found the equalizer through Deroy Duarte in the 59'. From there, the match was even on the scoreboard, though not in production: the numbers still show Argentina as the team that did more to win.

The situation became even tighter when Lisandro Martínez scored in the 92' for 2-1. That goal was the first major turning point of the match, because it forced Cabo Verde to go after it again and opened up the final stretch. Later, S. Cabral equalized in the 103', but Argentina went back in front with the own goal by Diney Borges in the 111'.

The overall picture is pretty clear: Argentina had more of the ball, shot more, and created more clear chances. Cabo Verde responded with less possession and less production, but kept the match alive on the scoreboard for much of the contest. The final score ended up being tighter than the gap in what each side created.

The standout performers

The ratings also help tell the story of the match:

• Lionel Messi (9.5) was the best player on the pitch and also opened the scoring in the 29'.
• Lisandro Martínez (9.2) delivered a high-impact performance and the goal in the 92'.
• Vozinha (8.2) was the highest-rated Cabo Verde player in a match in which his team created far less than Argentina.

In that split of ratings, Argentina had the two highest marks of the match, while Cabo Verde found its goalkeeper to be the best individual response of the afternoon.

The turning point

The stretch that swung the match the most was Lisandro Martínez's goal in the 92'. That strike put Argentina back ahead after Deroy Duarte's equalizer in the 59' and changed the direction of a finish that was already tense. Then came S. Cabral's equalizer in the 103' and, finally, the own goal by Diney Borges in the 111' that settled the tie.

The final balance leaves a pretty clear conclusion: Argentina won a long match, level on the scoreboard but not in production. The possession, shot, and chance-creation numbers show the win had footballing support, even if it was only sealed in extra time.