Argentina defeats Cabo Verde as Messi scores 20th World Cup goal, Chilevisión draws 2.8 million viewers

Argentina opened the round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 2‑0 victory over Cabo Verde. Lionel Messi scored the first goal in the 29th minute, becoming the first player in tournament history to reach 20 World Cup goals and matching his personal best of seven goals in a single edition.

The match was the most‑watched broadcast on Chilean platform Chilevisión, which recorded an average online audience of more than 2 million viewers and a peak of 2.8 million, far outpacing rival channels. Chilevisión will continue to air the remaining round‑of‑16 games, including France‑Paraguay, Mexico‑England and Spain‑Portugal.

Coach Lionel Scaloni also marked his 100th match in charge of the Argentine side.