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Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time thriller, advancing to World Cup Round of 16
By Associated Press at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 4, 2026
· 4 min read
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief. His Argentina teammates did the same.A thrilling, unforgettable World Cup match with underdog Cape Verde was over — and the defending champions survived after being pushed to the brink.Cape Ve...
Key takeaway Cape Verde equalized in regulation and again in extra time, but the Blue Sharks could not respond to Argentina’s third goal, and La Albiceleste advanced to the Round of 16 with a 3-2 victory on Friday.
Why this matters in The Midland
The thrilling World Cup match between Argentina and Cape Verde may seem like a distant event to Midland residents, but the outcome has a direct impact on the local sports landscape. As Argentina advances to the Round of 16, they will face Egypt in Atlanta, a game that will likely draw significant attention from soccer fans in the Permian Basin. This increased interest in international soccer can have a ripple effect on local youth soccer programs, potentially inspiring young players in Midland to follow in the footsteps of legends like Lionel Messi. Additionally, the success of underdog teams like Cape Verde can motivate local coaches and players to strive for similar upsets in their own competitions, fostering a sense of determination and perseverance in the community. As the World Cup continues to captivate audiences worldwide, Midland residents can expect to see a surge in local soccer enthusiasm, with potential benefits for the city's sports infrastructure and youth development programs.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief. His Argentina teammates did the same.A thrilling, unforgettable World Cup match with underdog Cape Verde was over — and the defending champions survived after being pushed to the brink.Cape Ve...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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