FIFA World Cup 2026- Argentina edge past Cape Verde in a thriller , Columbia, Egypt progress

 


 The last day of round of 32 provided a major scare for the reigning champions Argentina as they struggled to get past a spirited Cape Verde. Egypt beat Australia on penalties & Columbia get past Ghana 

Egypt 1–1 Australia (Egypt won 4–2 on penalties)

Egypt created history by reaching the Round of 16 for the first time after defeating Australia 4-2 in a penalty shootout following a gripping 1-1 draw after extra time in Arlington. The Pharaohs dominated long spells of the contest and held their nerve brilliantly from the spot to record their first-ever victory in a World Cup knockout match. 


Egypt made the perfect start in the 13th minute. A flowing attack down the left ended with a pinpoint cross into the penalty area, where Emam Ashour rose highest to glance a superb header beyond Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach, giving the Africans a deserved 1-0 lead. Australia gradually settled into the contest and increased the pressure after the interval. Their equaliser arrived in the second half when a dangerous cross into the Egyptian box was inadvertently turned into his own net by defender Mohamed Hany, leaving goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir helpless. 


Both teams created chances during extra time, with Mohamed Salah coming close to restoring Egypt's lead while Australia threatened through Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe. Neither side could find a winner, sending the match to penalties. Egypt converted all four of their spot-kicks with remarkable composure, while Australia's hopes faded after Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington failed to convert. Defender Hossam Abdelmaguid calmly dispatched the decisive penalty to spark jubilant celebrations and send Egypt into a Round-of-16 clash with Argentina 

Goals

Egypt 1–0: Emam Ashour (13')

Australia 1–1: Mohamed Hany (own goal)

Penalty Shootout: Egypt won 4–2, with Hossam Abdelmaguid converting the winning penalty. 


Argentina 3–2 Cape Verde (after extra time)

Defending champions Argentina survived an enormous scare before overcoming World Cup debutants Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in one of the most thrilling matches of the tournament. Cape Verde twice fought back to level the scores and came within minutes of forcing a penalty shootout before heartbreak struck in the second period of extra time. 


Argentina dominated possession early and finally broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. Lionel Messi continued his remarkable scoring streak by finishing clinically after a slick passing move, registering his seventh goal of the tournament. Cape Verde refused to be overawed and produced a spirited second-half response. Their reward came when Deroy Duarte finished confidently to level the scores at 1-1, stunning the Argentine supporters and forcing the favourites onto the back foot. 


The match moved into extra time, where Argentina again edged ahead. Defender Lisandro Martínez pounced on a loose ball inside the penalty area to restore Argentina's lead. Yet Cape Verde produced another astonishing comeback as Sidny Lopes Cabral unleashed a magnificent strike to make it 2-2, bringing the underdogs within touching distance of a famous penalty shootout. 


The decisive moment arrived in the second half of extra time. Messi swung a dangerous corner into the six-yard box, Cristian Romero met it with a powerful header, and the ball deflected off Cape Verde defender Diney Borges into his own net. The unfortunate own goal proved decisive as Argentina held on through the closing minutes to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory and a place in the Round of 16. Cape Verde bowed out with immense credit after one of the finest performances by a tournament debutant. 


Goals

Argentina 1–0: Lionel Messi (29')

Cape Verde 1–1: Deroy Duarte

Argentina 2–1: Lisandro Martínez (extra time)

Cape Verde 2–2: Sidny Lopes Cabral (extra time)

Argentina 3–2: Diney Borges (own goal, extra time) 


Colombia 1–0 Ghana

Colombia continued their impressive World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ghana in Kansas City to complete the Round-of-16 lineup. The South Americans were made to work for every opportunity by a disciplined Ghanaian side but produced the one moment of quality needed to progress. 


The opening half was evenly contested, with Ghana defending compactly while looking to threaten through quick counterattacks led by Antoine Semenyo. Colombia gradually assumed control of possession and found the breakthrough in the 43rd minute. A swift attacking move down the right saw Jhon Arias receive the ball inside the penalty area before firing a precise low shot into the far corner, giving goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi no chance. 


Ghana responded strongly after the interval, creating several promising openings as they searched for an equaliser. However, Colombia's defence stood firm, with goalkeeper Camilo Vargas making a series of important saves and the backline producing several crucial clearances. Colombia nearly doubled their advantage late in the match, but the crossbar denied them a second goal. The final whistle confirmed a narrow but deserved victory, sending Colombia into the Round of 16, where they will face Switzerland. 


Goal

Colombia 1–0: Jhon Arias (43') 


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