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Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time thriller, advancing to World Cup Round of 16
By AP at ABC13 Houston (KTRK - ABC)
· July 4, 2026
· 1 min read
Lionel Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 on Friday and advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 in a thrilling match in which the tiny island nation challenged the reigning champion until the final minutes of extra time.
Why this matters in The Pearland
The thrilling World Cup match between Argentina and Cape Verde may seem like a distant event, but for Pearland 's sizable Hispanic population, the victory is a point of local pride. Many residents gathered at watch parties and soccer fields to cheer on Lionel Messi and the Argentine team, bringing a taste of international excitement to the community. The city's diversity is reflected in its enthusiastic support for global sporting events, and this win will likely be celebrated by many in Pearland's restaurants, shops, and neighborhoods. As the World Cup progresses, Pearland's fans will be watching closely to see how Argentina fares in the Round of 16, and local businesses may even capitalize on the excitement with special promotions and viewing events. The energy and camaraderie generated by this win will be felt throughout the city, adding to Pearland's vibrant cultural scene.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC13 Houston (KTRK - ABC) . The Pearland 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 ABC13 Houston (KTRK - ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: ABC13 Houston (KTRK - ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Lionel Messi and Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 on Friday and advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 in a thrilling match in which the tiny island nation challenged the reigning champion until the final minutes of extra time.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by ABC13 Houston (KTRK - ABC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by AP at ABC13 Houston (KTRK - ABC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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