Argentina walked out with a win in a nail-biting matchup vs. Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Cape Verde’s fairytale run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an end after suffering a 3-2 defeat against Argentina in the Round of 32.
However, as the scoreline suggests, the 67th-ranked team nearly eliminated the defending champions of the World Cup.
Of course, Lionel Messi had yet another sensational game, but he wasn’t alone responsible for the scrappy one-goal win.
Soccer fans had mixed feelings about Lionel Messi winning the man of the match award against Cape Verde
Following a gruelling 120-minute battle against Cape Verde, Argentina’s Lionel Messi was awarded the man of the match, per Fabrizio Romano.
While did score the opening goal and assisted on Cristian Romero’s 111th-minute game-winner, many fans felt the award should have gone to Lisandro Martinez or Vozinha.
“Vozinha deserves to be in this conversation,” a fan wrote. While another added, “Well deserved, but could have also gotten to any or Lisandro or Vozinha, they were outstanding.”
“He deserves it, but I would have preferred Vozinha with such amazing performances today,” a third fan noted.
“For me, Lisandro Martinez is MOTM,” another fan stated. “At 39, still making history, reasons he’s the greatest player of all time,” a fifth fan praised Messi.
As far as Martinez is considered, he assists Messi’s first goal and scored a 92nd-minute screamer for Argentina. On the other hand, despite conceding three goals, Vozinha was a wall in the goal.
If it weren’t for him, Cape Verde would have conceded at least a couple more goals. But at the end of the day, Messi was, by no means, an undeserving player to take home the MOTM award.
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