LOS ANGELES: Holders Argentina survived a monumental scare before beating Cape Verde 3-2 on Friday in an all-time World Cup classic while Egypt beat Australia to reach the round of 16.
Cape Verde, with a population of just over 500,000, shook Lionel Messi’s Argentina with two stunning equalizers to increase the prospect of pulling off the biggest upset in World Cup history at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
But an own goal from Diney Borges, under pressure from Argentinian Cristian Romero, in the 111th minute, finally broke the Cape Verdean resistance.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said losing to Cape Verde “would have been madness”.
It was “a very difficult match; you always have to take the positive: this team (Argentina) never gives up,” Scaloni said.
“We have to congratulate the opponent; when people say there is no easy opponent, they proved today that they are a great team,” he added.
Argentina, trying to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles since Brazil in 1962, will face Egypt on Tuesday in Atlanta for a place in the quarterfinals.
But the South Americans were forced to hang on to secure victory against a team ranked 65 places below them by world governing body FIFA.
Messi had put Argentina ahead with a superb goal in the 29th minute, putting the reigning world champions on course for what was expected to be a routine victory.
But Deroy Duarte’s 59th-minute equalizer left Argentina reeling, and the African qualifiers then held on, improbably, to force extra time.
Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina’s lead in the 92nd minute, but once again Cape Verde hit back, Sidny Lopes Cabral scoring a magnificent second in the 103rd minute.
Argentina, however, scored the winner in the second period of overtime before hanging on to secure the victory.
“What we achieved, we wanted to show what was possible for small nations,” said Cabo Verdean defender of Irish origin Pico Lopes afterwards. “With a big heart, you can believe and dream, everything is possible.”
Penalty drama
Earlier on Friday, Egypt beat Australia on penalties to win a World Cup knockout match for the first time.
Hossam Abdelmaguid calmly converted the decisive spot kick to seal a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over the Socceroos in Arlington, Texas, after the match ended 1-1 after extra time.
Australian coach Tony Popovic rolled the dice by calling on veteran goalkeeper Maty Ryan for the penalty shootout moments before the final whistle at AT&T Stadium.
But Ryan was unable to exert his influence, failing to get his hands on any of Egypt’s four penalties.
Australia had to miss a penalty from captain Harry Souttar and 18-year-old defender Lucas Herrington, who both blazed.
“It’s ancient history,” said Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah afterwards.
“I told the boys before the game that this is the biggest stage you will ever play on. Enjoy it and don’t let the pressure get to you,” added the former Liverpool star.
Australian coach Popovic defended the decision to call on Ryan for the penalty shootout.
“We just felt Maty’s experience would make the difference,” Popovic said of Ryan before defending the teenager’s selection Herrington to take a pressure-laden penalty.
“I’m sure you would say something else if the kid scored,” Popovic said.
“You would probably be sitting there saying how wonderful it is that an 18-year-old took a penalty and scored.”
Egypt’s victory was a blow to what has so far been a disappointing knockout phase for African teams, with South Africa, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo and Algeria all exiting the tournament at the round of 16.
In Friday’s other match, Colombia beat toothless Ghana 1-0 to become the last team to qualify for the World Cup round of 16.
Off the field on Friday, anticipation for Sunday’s blockbuster last-16 clash between England and Mexico City at the Estadio Azteca was rocked by intrigue after it emerged the match’s kick-off time could be brought forward by several hours due to forecast storms.
But after a chaotic few hours, sources later confirmed the match would go ahead at 6:00 p.m. local time as scheduled.
