2026 World Cup: Seven African teams eliminated from tournament

Cape Verde’s fairytale run at the 2026 World Cup came to an end, as they suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Argentina in a last-32 clash.

The debutants took the current holders all the way to extra time, where they eventually lose to a Diney own goal.

Lionel Messi scored his seventh goal at the tournament to give Albiceleste the lead.

But 14 minutes after the break, Deroy Duarte levelled for Cape Verde.

In extra time, Lisandro Martinez fired Argentina into the lead again, but Sidny Lopes Cabral curled in a stunning equalizer.

Cape Verde now become the seventh African country to be eliminated after Tunisia, South Africa, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria and DR Congo.