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.
Photo by Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images
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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