Blab Sports
Argentina, Colombia Advance as Latin America Secures Five Spots in World Cup Last 16
In a night that stretched into the early hours, Lionel Messi’s 20th World‑Cup goal helped Argentina edge Cape Verde 3‑2 after extra time in Miami Gardens, while Colombia’s 1‑0 victory over Ghana in Kansas City secured the continent’s fifth berth in the last‑16.
The Miami Gardens Stadium match began with Messi finding the net in the 12th minute, giving Argentina a quick advantage. Cape Verde answered a dozen minutes later when a header from their forward levelled the score, and the teams traded blows until the break, ending the first half 1‑1. In the second period, Cristian Romero capitalised on a deflected shot to restore the Argentine lead in the 58th minute. Cape Verde pushed back again in the 79th minute, forcing the game into extra time, where Nahuel Pavlovic’s late header in the 120th minute sealed the 3‑2 win.
Messi’s strike marked the 20th goal of his World‑Cup career, extending his all‑time record for most goals scored in the competition. The milestone was reached after a 6‑0 win over Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 and a 6‑0 victory against Spain in 2010, a record that had previously belonged to Miroslav Klose.
Cape Verde, making its debut at a World Cup, had a respectable group stage, drawing 0‑0 against Spain, 2‑2 with Uruguay, and 0‑0 with Saudi Arabia to finish second in Group H. Their elimination in the Round of 32 marked a historic moment for the island nation.
Colombia’s encounter at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City was more straightforward. Jhon Arias scored the only goal of the game in the 14th minute, and the Colombian side held Ghana to a single shot on target for the remainder of the match, adding to the Latin‑American presence in the last‑16 alongside Brazil, Mexico, and Paraguay.
The five Latin‑American teams now in the last‑16—Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and Paraguay—represent the strongest regional showing since 2018, when only three teams advanced. The achievement underscores the depth of talent across the continent.
The Round of 16 begins at 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday. Paraguay will face France in Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, while other first‑round matchups include England versus Mexico in Los Angeles, Switzerland versus Colombia in Houston, and the United States versus Argentina in Dallas.
With the knockout stage underway, the focus shifts to the remaining Latin‑American teams: Brazil will play the United States, Mexico will take on England, and Paraguay will test France. Argentina’s next opponent will be determined by the winner of the England‑Mexico match, while Colombia will face Switzerland.
The outcomes of these games will decide which teams advance to the quarter‑finals and ultimately shape the path to the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. For the Latin‑American nations, the next few days will determine whether their record‑setting run continues or ends in the early knockout rounds.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has already set a record for total attendance, surpassing the 1994 tournament. The tournament’s expansion to 48 teams has created new opportunities for emerging football nations, as demonstrated by Cape Verde’s historic run.
As the last‑16 begins, fans and analysts alike will watch to see whether the Latin‑American teams can maintain their momentum and whether Messi can add to his record in the next round.
The Miami Gardens Stadium match began with Messi finding the net in the 12th minute, giving Argentina a quick advantage. Cape Verde answered a dozen minutes later when a header from their forward levelled the score, and the teams traded blows until the break, ending the first half 1‑1. In the second period, Cristian Romero capitalised on a deflected shot to restore the Argentine lead in the 58th minute. Cape Verde pushed back again in the 79th minute, forcing the game into extra time, where Nahuel Pavlovic’s late header in the 120th minute sealed the 3‑2 win.
Messi’s strike marked the 20th goal of his World‑Cup career, extending his all‑time record for most goals scored in the competition. The milestone was reached after a 6‑0 win over Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 and a 6‑0 victory against Spain in 2010, a record that had previously belonged to Miroslav Klose.
Cape Verde, making its debut at a World Cup, had a respectable group stage, drawing 0‑0 against Spain, 2‑2 with Uruguay, and 0‑0 with Saudi Arabia to finish second in Group H. Their elimination in the Round of 32 marked a historic moment for the island nation.
Colombia’s encounter at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City was more straightforward. Jhon Arias scored the only goal of the game in the 14th minute, and the Colombian side held Ghana to a single shot on target for the remainder of the match, adding to the Latin‑American presence in the last‑16 alongside Brazil, Mexico, and Paraguay.
The five Latin‑American teams now in the last‑16—Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, and Paraguay—represent the strongest regional showing since 2018, when only three teams advanced. The achievement underscores the depth of talent across the continent.
The Round of 16 begins at 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday. Paraguay will face France in Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, while other first‑round matchups include England versus Mexico in Los Angeles, Switzerland versus Colombia in Houston, and the United States versus Argentina in Dallas.
With the knockout stage underway, the focus shifts to the remaining Latin‑American teams: Brazil will play the United States, Mexico will take on England, and Paraguay will test France. Argentina’s next opponent will be determined by the winner of the England‑Mexico match, while Colombia will face Switzerland.
The outcomes of these games will decide which teams advance to the quarter‑finals and ultimately shape the path to the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. For the Latin‑American nations, the next few days will determine whether their record‑setting run continues or ends in the early knockout rounds.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has already set a record for total attendance, surpassing the 1994 tournament. The tournament’s expansion to 48 teams has created new opportunities for emerging football nations, as demonstrated by Cape Verde’s historic run.
As the last‑16 begins, fans and analysts alike will watch to see whether the Latin‑American teams can maintain their momentum and whether Messi can add to his record in the next round.
