Argentina edge Cape Verde, Egypt oust Australia on penalties to seal blockbuster Round of 16 clash

Dallas/Miami: Egypt created history by securing their first-ever knockout victory at a FIFA World Cup, edging Australia 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Dallas, while defending champions Argentina survived a fierce fightback from Cape Verde to claim a dramatic 3-2 extra-time win in Miami and book a Round of 16 showdown between the two sides.

In their maiden World Cup meeting, Australia almost struck early when Cristian Volpato’s powerful effort crashed against the crossbar inside five minutes. Egypt weathered that initial storm and, once the Australian press lost intensity, the Pharaohs capitalised. In the 13th minute, after Emam Ashour’s free-kick was blocked, Karim Hafez swung the ball back into the area and Ashour rose to head firmly past Patrick Beach for his second goal of the tournament.

Australia responded with a series of attacks before the break but Mostafa Shoubir stood firm in the Egyptian goal to keep his side ahead. Shortly after half-time, Omar Marmoush wasted a gilt edged chance to double the lead, dragging his shot wide. Egypt were punished in the 55th minute when Mohamed Hany, attempting to defend Aiden O’Neill’s free-kick, inadvertently headed into his own net – his second own goal of the tournament and the 13th of this edition, the most ever in a single World Cup.

Egypt continued to probe with long balls, and Ramy Rabia forced a superb one handed save from Beach, but neither side could find a winner in regulation time or extra time. In the penalty shootout, Australia’s Harry Souttar and Lucas Herrington missed their spot kicks, while Egypt converted all four attempts with composure, including a delicate Panenka from captain Mohamed Salah. Hossam Abdelmaguid slotted home the decisive penalty to seal Egypt’s historic progression. For Australia, it was a third appearance in the knockout phase – and a third defeat – after previous losses to Italy in 2006 and Argentina in 2022.

Earlier in Miami, Cape Verde, nicknamed the Blue Sharks, pushed Lionel Messi and Argentina to the limit in a marathon contest that stretched to 124 minutes. Argentina dominated early possession and carved out the first clear chance when Messi’s shot from a tight angle flew wide. The skipper made amends in the 29th minute, timing his run perfectly to meet a precise pass from Lisandro Martínez and slot home, extending his record of scoring in eight successive World Cup matches.

Cape Verde stayed competitive, with Enzo Fernandez testing goalkeeper Vozinha before half-time. The African side drew level early in the second half when Deroy Duarte, having already forced a save from Emiliano Martinez with a long-range effort, struck again with a low, driven shot to make it 1-1.

Argentina responded with sustained pressure. Lautaro Martínez flicked the ball on and laid it off first-time to Messi, but Vozinha won their one on one duel. Minutes later, the Cape Verde goalkeeper produced another crucial stop, tipping away a Messi free-kick that was heading towards the left post. In stoppage time, Vozinha was again called into action, clawing away another deflected Messi set-piece to force extra time.

With the score still 1-1, Argentina regained the lead in extra time when Lisandro Martínez controlled a corner at the far post and finished calmly for 2-1. Cape Verde refused to buckle, and Lopes Cabral produced a spectacular equaliser before the end of the first half of extra time to make it 2-2. Their resistance finally broke late on, when a Messi corner caused chaos in the box and resulted in an own goal that put Argentina 3-2 ahead. Despite a spirited search for a third equaliser, Cape Verde ran out of time.

With Egypt’s flawless shootout win over Australia and Argentina’s gritty extra-time escape against Cape Verde, the two in form sides will now clash in a high-stakes Round of 16 tie in Atlanta on July 8, with a quarterfinal berth on the line.

(Inputs from IANS)