Argentina vs Cape Verde Islands Player Ratings & Match Stats: Lionel Messi 9.2/10, Vozinha 8.4/10

Player Name

Rating

Description

Emiliano Martínez

7.0

Made crucial saves in extra time, including a full-stretch stop from Sidny Lopes Cabral's venomous free kick at 116 minutes.

Nahuel Molina

6.6

Operated as advanced right-back, delivering crosses and combining with Messi before making way for Montiel at 104 minutes.

Cristian Romero

7.8

Rose highest to head home Messi's corner at 111 minutes, providing the decisive goal when penalties loomed.

Lisandro Martínez

9.0

Outstanding display with magnificent long pass to assist Messi's opener and a stunning left-footed strike at 93 minutes.

Facundo Medina

6.3

Fulfilled defensive duties on the left side before injury ended his involvement at 86 minutes, requiring Tagliafico's introduction.

Rodrigo De Paul

6.5

Provided energy and defensive work in midfield, blocking Jovane Cabral's shot at 48 minutes before making way for Paredes.

Alexis Mac Allister

7.1

Delivered key near-post flick-on from Messi's corner to assist Lisandro Martínez's crucial goal at 93 minutes.

Enzo Fernández

6.8

Central to Argentina's midfield circulation, forced a good save from Vozinha at 45 minutes with powerful edge-of-box strike.

Thiago Almada

6.4

Operated on the left of midfield for 63 minutes, contributing neat passing before being replaced by Nico González.

Lautaro Martínez

6.1

Struggled against Cape Verde's compact defence, finding limited service before being replaced by Julián Álvarez at 63 minutes.

Lionel Messi

9.2

Scored sublime left-footed finish at 29 minutes and assisted Romero's winner with precise corner delivery at 111 minutes.

Julián Álvarez

6.5

Introduced at 63 minutes, combined well with Messi and had a shot blocked by Sidny Lopes Cabral during extra time.

Nico González

7.0

Made immediate impact after 63-minute introduction, injecting pace and directness into Argentina's left flank throughout extra time.

Leandro Paredes

6.2

Entered at 84 minutes, tested Vozinha from outside the box and provided midfield stability through extra time.

Nicolás Tagliafico

6.2

Replaced injured Medina at 86 minutes, adapted quickly at left-back and suffered a nosebleed before continuing.

Gonzalo Montiel

5.9

Late introduction at 104 minutes, received a yellow card at 115 minutes for fouling Hélio Varela on the flank.

Player Name

Rating

Description

Vozinha

8.4

Heroic display denying Messi brilliantly in one-on-one at 63 minutes and with multiple spectacular saves across 120 minutes.

Steven Moreira

6.6

Worked tirelessly on the right flank, delivering dangerous crosses and contributing to the build-up for Deroy Duarte's equaliser.

Roberto Lopes

6.7

Anchored central defence with crucial clearances, including a courageous intervention that nearly went into his own net.

Diney Borges

6.1

Part of resilient defensive unit but was beaten by Messi's movement for the opening goal at 29 minutes.

Sidny Lopes Cabral

8.0

Scored stunning equaliser at 103 minutes, cutting inside and firing into top corner, then tested Martínez with dangerous free kick.

Kevin Lenini

6.4

Provided defensive protection in midfield for 100 minutes, booked at 68 minutes for fouling Messi before being substituted.

Ryan Mendes

7.2

Led as captain, threading clever through-ball assist for Deroy Duarte's equaliser before departing at 80 minutes.

Laros Duarte

6.2

Contributed to midfield structure for 67 minutes, helping maintain defensive shape alongside brother Deroy before replacement.

Deroy Duarte

7.5

Scored crucial equaliser at 59 minutes with composed right-footed finish after receiving Ryan Mendes's clever pass.

Jovane Cabral

6.3

Operated in attacking midfield for 80 minutes, shot deflected for corner at 48 minutes before making way for Varela.

Nuno Da Costa

5.8

Isolated as lone striker during 67 minutes, received limited service with Cape Verde prioritising defensive solidity throughout.

Jamiro Monteiro

6.2

Entered at 67 minutes, blocked Enzo Fernández's shot at 99 minutes and helped maintain midfield presence in extra time.

Dailon Livramento

5.6

Introduced at 67 minutes, had clear chance ruled out for offside and struggled to make significant impact thereafter.

Willy Semedo

6.0

Came on at 80 minutes for captain Ryan Mendes, contributed width on right flank and delivered crosses late on.

Hélio Varela

6.3

Introduced at 80 minutes, won foul that earned Montiel's yellow card and had shots deflected and wide late on.

Benchimol

5.8

Entered at 100 minutes, nearly capitalised when ball bounced in small area but Emiliano Martínez intervened quickly.

Yannick Semedo

6.8

Made immediate impact with assist for Sidny Lopes Cabral's stunning equaliser at 103 minutes after entering at 100 minutes.