The tiny African nation was eliminated from the World Cup by one of soccer’s biggest powers, Argentina, but there was still plenty to celebrate.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — 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.

Defending World Cup champion Argentina and Lionel Messi are pushed to the limit in extra time before edging tiny Cape Verde 3-2 in an instant classic.

Cape Verde’s magical ride ended Friday in the Round of 32, with the Blue Sharks falling to Lionel Messi and defending World Cup champion Argentina — as most expected. Final score: Champions 3, Cinderellas 2, in extra time — as probably very few expected.

In the 59th minute, the World Cup underdogs known as the Blue Sharks struck. Captain Ryan Mendes took the ball out wide and delivered it to Deroy Duarte, who fired it past Argentine keeper Emiliano Martinez at close range to tie the game at one in the 59th minute.

An experienced fashion company but soccer neophytes, Capelli was ready when Cape Verde's Blue Sharks went on a shock World Cup run.

Ryan Mendes, the captain for Cape Verde’s national soccer team, is under investigation by police in New Zealand over allegations he raped a woman in March. Mendes, Cape Verde’s all-time leading scorer,

Bostonians with ties to Cape Verde wore the country’s flag on bags, shawls, and most popularly, soccer jerseys at a City Hall flag raising Sunday to celebrate the archipelago nation’s 51st Independence Day.