"Harrowing": newspapers extol Argentina's painful victory in the World Cup

It was a dramatic victory, but Argentina are in the round of 16 of the World Cup. The suffering of the goals in extra time was the highlight in the country's press.

At the Hard Rock Stadium, the South American team had goals from Messi and Lisandro Martínez, as well as an own goal from Diney Borges, to surpass the two scored by Deroy Duarte and Cabral for the African team.

Diário Olé classified the match as "incredible and harrowing". "A more difficult match than expected", continues the newspaper. "Cape Verde accepted its role as visitor, but not spectator."

"Partido para el infarto" (breathtaking), wrote TYC Esportes. "After a dramatic extra time, Scaloneta beat the African team and will face Egypt in the next phase."

In Clarín, emphasis is placed on the difficulties faced by Abiceleste. "In a breathtaking match, the Seleção is in the round of 16."

Spaniards are more incisive
Accustomed to Lionel Messi's coverage in Spain, the country's newspapers were more emphatic in their analysis of the match. "Messi doesn't want miracles", says the Ace headline. "Argentina avoided disaster with a goal and an assist from Messi", points out the newspaper.

Mundo Deportivo, from Barcelona, highlighted that the Cape Verdeans recovered from a great goal by Messi and instilled "fear, terror and dread in the current world champions".

"Messi suffered like never before. He ended up exhausted, exhausted, knowing that he will need much more than just his football to win this World Cup", says the analysis.

Even defeated, Cape Verde left the competition making history: it was the first debutant team to reach this stage of the World Cup, in a campaign marked by competitiveness and resilience.

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Source: CNN