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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Sport
Pablo Iglesias Maurer at Miami Stadium

Tiny Cape Verde steal the show against Argentina in a performance to last in World Cup lore

Cape Verde Lionel Messi World Cup Argentina Vozinha Pico Lopes Sidny Lopes Cabral the World Cup
Two football players shake hands on a pitch, one in a dark blue kit and Lionel Messi in a light blue and white striped kit
Lionel Messi was not the star attraction on Friday, given Cape Verde’s performance. Photograph: Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

It was a sight we’d seen hundreds of times before, six times previously in this World Cup alone. Lionel Messi celebrating a goal, sprinting away with his arms outstretched in celebration. Against Cape Verde on Friday, Messi used a breathtaking first touch and deft, close-range finish to score Argentina’s opening goal and take the lead, one few in attendance thought they would relinquish.

Cape Verde’s goalkeeper, Vozinha, was left crumpled on one knee, his World Cup dream slipping away. The 40-year-old had become a sensation after playing brilliantly to shut out the European champions, Spain, in Cape Verde’s tournament opener. Vozinha, who plays his football in the Portuguese second division, made $53,000 last year. Messi made more than that for every five minutes he was on the field with Inter Miami last year.

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