The FIFA World Cup 2026, hosted across North America, delivered one of the tournament’s most dramatic Round of 32 matches when tiny Cape Verde — a nation with fewer inhabitants than the German city of Duisburg — held defending champions Argentina to a draw deep into the match.
Lionel Messi, playing in a record-extending 30th World Cup match of his career, struck in the 29th minute for his 20th World Cup goal. But Cape Verde roared back with an equalizer from Duarte in the 59th minute, sending shockwaves through the tournament. Cape Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha drew global praise for a stunning save on a Messi free kick that sent social media into a frenzy, with fans calling the stop “absurd.”
In another surprise result, Egypt edged Australia on penalties, leaving the Socceroos devastated. Players Aziz Behich and Jackson Irvine reflected somberly on the loss. Meanwhile, England’s preparation for their match against Mexico generated headlines of a different kind: reports emerged that the English camp was analyzing the use of Viagra as a possible strategy to counteract the effects of altitude at Mexico’s high-elevation venues.
