Cape Verde’s Cinderella World Cup Run Ended by Argentina in OT

MIAMI, FL — Everyone’s favorite underdog at the World Cup gave fans one last thrill Friday before heading home.

Facing massive odds against the defending world champions, Cape Verde took Argentina to overtime before falling 3-2.

The tiny nation of islands off the western coast of Africa — home to about 525,000 people — was expected to be overwhelmed by Argentina, but they nearly pulled off the upset.

Cape Verde twice found equalizing goals after falling behind, including an absolutely beautiful strike from outside the box by Sidny Lopes Cabral in the 103rd minute.

Argentina finally found the game-winner, however, in the second overtime period when Cristian Romero headed home a corner kick from Lionel Messi off the arm of a Cape Verde defender in the 111th minute.

Cape Verde produced a few more scoring chances, but they finally ran out of miracles.

Messi put Argentina on top with a goal in the 29th minute before Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte scored in the 59th to send the game to overtime.

Argentina then scored quickly in OT on Lesandro Martinez’s goal in the 92nd minute before Cape Verde stunningly responded again.

Cape Verde was the surprise of the tournament after advancing to the knockout round in its first-ever appearance at the World Cup.

Their run began with a 0-0 draw against world power Spain, followed by a 2-2 draw with Uruguay and another scoreless draw with Saudi Arabia.

Despite ultimately not winning a game at the World Cup, they will return home as heroes and with many more fans around the globe.