Cape Verde scare Argentina to extra time, Egypt finally get over the line

Friday’s round of 32 had a nation of half a million souls nearly ending the champions’ title defense, a country breaking a knockout duck that had lasted its entire World Cup history, and Colombia grinding out a win in weather better suited to iguanas than footballers.

Cape Verde give Messi a proper scare

Cape Verde arrived at their first ever World Cup and drew with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in the group stage. Then they had the nerve to take Argentina to extra time in the last 32. Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, his 20th World Cup goal, before Deroy Duarte leveled with his first ever international goal in the 59th. Argentina finally pulled clear in extra time: Lisandro Martínez poked one in early, Sidnay Lopes Cabral answered with a long-range curler to make it 2-2, and Cristián Romero’s header deflected in off Diney Borges to make it 3-2. That settled it. Cape Verde keeper Vozinha made eight saves along the way, including one off a Messi free kick, and did more to keep his side in it than anyone. Back in Praia, fans celebrated a loss like a win, timed neatly with the country’s 50th anniversary of independence. Messi, for his part, was less charmed by the physical treatment he got: “On the field, they kick the crap out of me.” Fair enough, but his team is the one moving on, to face Egypt in Atlanta.

Egypt finally win a World Cup knockout game

Egypt had never won a World Cup knockout match. That changed against Australia, and it took the long way round. Emam Ashour headed Egypt in front in the 13th minute, Mohamed Hany turned one into his own net for Australia in the 55th to level it, and neither side found a winner in 120 minutes. Penalties settled it: Harry Souttar sent his over the bar, Lucas Herrington cracked his off the crossbar, and Egypt converted all four of theirs, Mohamed Salah casually rolling in a Panenka down the middle before Hossam Abdelmaguid struck the winning kick. Egypt reach the round of 16 for the first time ever, and now get Argentina, fresh off nearly blowing a two-goal cushion to a team ranked outside the top 70.

Round of 32: Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde (AET), Egypt 1-1 Australia (Egypt win 4-2 on penalties), Colombia 1-0 Ghana.

Colombia’s part in the day was tidier: Jhon Arias scored inside 14 minutes off a Luis Suárez assist, and that was enough in Kansas City heat that had both benches on hydration breaks. They face Switzerland next.

See how the bracket has reshuffled on the live table.

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