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Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time thriller, advancing to World Cup Round of 16
By ALANIS THAMES, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 4, 2026
· 1 min read
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief. His Argentina teammates did the same. A thrilling, unforgettable World Cup match with underdog Cape Verde was over — and the defending champions survived after being pushed to the brink. Cape ...
Key takeaway (AP) — Lionel Messi wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief.
Why this matters in The McAllen
The thrilling World Cup match between Argentina and Cape Verde may seem like a distant event to McAllen residents, but for the city's sizable soccer fan base, the outcome is a significant talking point. Many locals gathered at watch parties and sports bars to cheer on their favorite teams, and the excitement was palpable. As the Rio Grande Valley is home to a diverse population with strong ties to Latin American countries, international soccer matches often take on a special significance. The Argentina team's advancement to the Round of 16 will likely generate buzz in McAllen's soccer circles, with fans eagerly discussing the prospects of Lionel Messi and his teammates as they move forward in the tournament. The local interest in soccer is a testament to the valley's rich cultural heritage and its passion for the beautiful game.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief. His Argentina teammates did the same. A thrilling, unforgettable World Cup match with underdog Cape Verde was over — and the defending champions survived after being pushed to the brink. Cape ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by ALANIS THAMES, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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