World Cup fans disappointed after Lionel Messi is awarded man of the match vs. Cape Verde

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Argentina walked out with a win in a nail-biting matchup vs. Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Cape Verde’s fairytale run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an end after suffering a 3-2 defeat against Argentina in the Round of 32.

However, as the scoreline suggests, the 67th-ranked team nearly eliminated the defending champions of the World Cup.

Of course, Lionel Messi had yet another sensational game, but he wasn’t alone responsible for the scrappy one-goal win.

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Soccer fans had mixed feelings about Lionel Messi winning the man of the match award against Cape Verde​

Following a gruelling 120-minute battle against Cape Verde, Argentina’s Lionel Messi was awarded the man of the match, per Fabrizio Romano.


While did score the opening goal and assisted on Cristian Romero’s 111th-minute game-winner, many fans felt the award should have gone to Lisandro Martinez or Vozinha.

“Vozinha deserves to be in this conversation,” a fan wrote. While another added, “Well deserved, but could have also gotten to any or Lisandro or Vozinha, they were outstanding.”

“He deserves it, but I would have preferred Vozinha with such amazing performances today,” a third fan noted.

“For me, Lisandro Martinez is MOTM,” another fan stated. “At 39, still making history, reasons he’s the greatest player of all time,” a fifth fan praised Messi.

As far as Martinez is considered, he assists Messi’s first goal and scored a 92nd-minute screamer for Argentina. On the other hand, despite conceding three goals, Vozinha was a wall in the goal.

If it weren’t for him, Cape Verde would have conceded at least a couple more goals. But at the end of the day, Messi was, by no means, an undeserving player to take home the MOTM award.

Read more:

• Lionel Messi overtakes Pele and Kylian Mbappe with stunning goal vs. Cape Verde
• Lionel Messi might set another all-time World Cup record during Argentina vs Cape Verde
• Lionel Messi’s reaction during thorough airport security check before World Cup match is priceless

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