Argentina defeats Cape Verde, team welcomed by thousands in Praia
Argentina opened its World Cup knockout campaign against debutants Cape Verde in Miami, a match highlighted by the African side's rapid rise, according to BBC and NBC Sports. In extra time, Cristian Romero restored Argentina's lead, securing a 3-2 victory over Cape Verde, as reported by ESPN and CBS Sports. NPR confirmed the narrow loss eliminated the Cape Verde team from the tournament.
Following the win, Lionel Messi warned that Argentina must correct numerous errors before its next match, per the New York Post. After the defeat, the Cape Verde squad returned to Praia where thousands of supporters greeted the players, according to BBC.