MEXICO CITY, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Lionel Messi helped Argentina to a dramatic extra-time victory while Egypt and Colombia also progressed to the World Cup round of 16 on Friday.
In Miami, Messi scored his 20th World Cup goal as Argentina edged to a 3-2 win over Cabo Verde after an absorbing 120 minutes.
The reigning champion took the lead through Messi's early strike at Miami Stadium before Deroy Duarte equalized just before the hour.
Lisandro Martinez regained Argentina's advantage early in extra time with a powerful shot from a tight angle, but Sidny Lopes Cabral's curling effort restored parity 11 minutes later.
The game took another turn when Diney Borges deflected the ball into his own net after a corner, bringing an end to Cabo Verde's brave World Cup run.
Cabo Verde, a nation of just over 500,000 people, had already made history on its World Cup debut by becoming the smallest country to reach the knockout stage.
Its 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who had excelled in the group stage, again proved difficult to beat with 10 saves, several of them from Messi.
Meanwhile, the Argentina captain's seventh goal of the tournament moved him one clear of France's Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race. Messi also leads the World Cup's all-time scoring list, two goals ahead of Mbappe.
The result means Argentina will meet Egypt in the next round at Atlanta Stadium on July 7.
"It was a really tough match," Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni told a post-match news conference. "You always have to focus on the positives. This team never gives up. And I have to give credit to our opponents.
"Today Cabo Verde proved they're a great team. The truth is, everyone finished really tired, because they gave it their all."
Cabo Verde manager Bubista said his players deserved all of the credit for the team's performances throughout the tournament.
"We can leave proud of what we achieved," Bubista said. "These performances will go down in our country's history.
"For nations like ours, where qualifying for a World Cup is already difficult, we've shown that with organization, character and focus, it is possible to achieve great things."
In Dallas, Hossam Abdelmaguid converted the decisive spot kick as Egypt beat Australia 4-2 on penalties.
The scores were locked at 1-1 at the end of 120 minutes after a Mohamed Hany own goal cancelled out Emam Ashour's opener for the African side.
"My feeling today is that it's incredible," Egypt striker Mohamed Salah said after the match. "I always like seeing the boys happy and enjoying the moment. Nothing can match that. So today was one of the best days of my life."
Australia has still not scored through one of its own players in three World Cup knockout matches, with its only two strikes coming from opposition own goals.
"It hurts when you get that close," Australia head coach Tony Popovic said. "Unfortunately, we bow out in a penalty shootout, so it's difficult to take right now."
In Kansas City, Jhon Arias scored in the first half to earn Colombia a 1-0 win over Ghana. The result means the South American team will face Switzerland in Vancouver on July 7 with a place in the quarterfinals at stake. ■
