It was heartbreak for Pico Lopes as Cape Verde’s World Cup journey ended in Miami as they were on the losing side of a 3-2 thriller in a game for the ages.

It was an absolutely surreal night in Miami, Florida, but at half-time everyone thought it was going to be business as usual as La Albiceleste went into the break 1-0 after Messi’s fantastic goal.

However, Cape Verde never showed fear at any stage at this World Cup, and they came out for the second half with a real zip to their passing and they created one of the moments of the tournament as they passed the ball through the Argentine midfield and defence as Daros Duarte’s shot ran under Emi Martinez into the bottom corner for the equaliser.

Vozinha was called on to make a huge save soon after, with Messi running through on goal as Cape Verde somehow managed to hold Argentina out and bring the game into extra-time.

But it looked like the fairytale was going to end after extra-time as Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez fired the ball into the roof of the net two minutes after the restart. What was to come, though, will go down as one of the best goals in World Cup history.

23-year-old fullback Sidny Lopes Cabral picked up the ball on the left, cut in on his right, and rifled the ball into the far top corner for yet another Cape Verdean equaliser, leaving Emi Martinez hapless in the Argentine goal. The youngster ran into the crowd to celebrate with his family in what was a surreal moment for the island nation.

In a game of twists and turns, however, the fairytale was finished in the second period of extra-time as a Lionel Messi corner met the head of Cristian Romero, whose header deflected off Sidny Borges and it managed to get past Vozinha for an own goal to give Argentina yet another lead, this time one they’d be able to hold on to.

Cape Verde didn’t go down without a fight, as Lopes Cabral forced Martinez into a huge save from a free kick, and the Villa keeper was called into a couple more actions to keep Argentine hopes alive. They move on to face Egypt in the Round of 16, but for Cape Verde and Pico Lopes, they can hold their head up high.

Lopes received huge plaudits online for his display throughout the tournament, as he’s represented the League of Ireland and his country with huge pride.

‘An inspiration, a role model, a legend; we are forever proud to call you our captain, ‘ his club Shamrock Rovers posted on X. ‘What a defender this Pico Lopes is. A defensive MONSTER. Hidden away in Irish football, and no one would know who he is if it weren’t for a World Cup,’ posted a user on X.

‘That footage of Messi and Pico Lopes having words at halftime is something else. Different experience to playing away at Sligo tonight, I’m sure,’ posted another.

Lastly, a Brazilian journalist, Sergio Santana, was full of praise for Lopes. ‘Pico Lopes is the best centre-back of the World Cup so far. Even with Argentina’s qualification. Spectacular the story of the 34-year-old centre-back from Cape Verde.’

Pico Lopes é o melhor zagueiro da Copa do Mundo até agora. Mesmo com a classificação da Argentina. Espetacular a história do central de 34 anos de Cabo Verde.

— Sergio Santana (@sergiostn_) July 4, 2026