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Cameroon misses out again on U.S. Global University rankings

7, July 2026

Cameroon misses out again on U.S. Global University rankings 0

Cameroon remains absent from one of the world’s leading university rankings, underscoring the country’s continued struggle to gain international recognition for its research output.

In the 2026-2027 Best Global Universities Rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, no Cameroonian university appears among the more than 2,250 institutions ranked across more than 100 countries.

Compiled in partnership with Clarivate, the rankings place strong emphasis on research performance rather than teaching quality or institutional reputation alone. Universities are assessed using indicators such as global and regional research reputation, publication output, citation impact, international collaboration and the production of highly cited research.

South African and Egyptian universities lead Africa

African universities remain largely led by institutions from South Africa and Egypt. The University of Cape Town retained its position as Africa’s highest-ranked university, placing 122nd globally. It was followed by Cairo University (221st) and the University of the Witwatersrand (240th).

Egypt continued to strengthen its presence with institutions such as Mansoura University, ranked 267th worldwide, and Al-Azhar University, ranked 279th. Nigeria also maintained a visible presence, with the University of Ibadan ranked 264th globally.

Against that backdrop, Cameroon remains absent from the rankings, highlighting the gap between its universities and the research standards used in major international league tables.

The rankings primarily measure scientific research rather than student enrollment or teaching capacity. While Cameroon’s universities educate tens of thousands of students each year and play a central role in the country’s higher education system, they remain relatively underrepresented in major international research databases.

The indicators used by U.S. News favor institutions that publish extensively in indexed journals, produce highly cited research, collaborate internationally and contribute influential scientific work.

As a result, the rankings reflect a university’s role in global research rather than the scale of its academic programs.

Long-standing structural constraints

Cameroon’s limited research visibility reflects broader structural challenges. Research funding remains constrained, many laboratories lack adequate equipment and resources, and the volume of internationally indexed scientific publications remains relatively low.

Universities also face challenges in attracting international researchers and building sustained partnerships with leading global research institutions. Other factors, including university governance, doctoral supervision and the overall research environment, continue to affect the country’s ability to compete internationally.

More than a question of prestige

Appearing in major international university rankings has become increasingly important beyond institutional reputation. Strong rankings can help universities attract international students, secure research partnerships, improve access to funding and strengthen their position within global research networks.

For Cameroon, gaining a place in these rankings will require more than expanding access to higher education.

It will depend on sustained investment in research, stronger international collaboration, improved university governance and policies that support high-quality scientific output.

The latest U.S. News rankings reinforce a broader trend in global higher education: universities are increasingly judged not by the number of students they educate, but by their ability to generate new knowledge and contribute to international research.

Source: Sbbc

Cameroon’s economy grew 3.5% in 2025 despite a sharp drop in exports

7, July 2026

Cameroon’s economy grew 3.5% in 2025 despite a sharp drop in exports 0

Cameroon’s economy expanded by 3.5% in real terms in 2025, but the growth came largely from domestic demand rather than stronger export performance, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS).

In its report on fourth-quarter 2025 national accounts, the INS said annual economic growth reached 3.5% compared with 2024. Excluding oil and natural gas, growth stood at 3.8%.

The figures point to an economy that continued to expand, but with growth driven primarily by spending at home rather than by stronger external demand. Over the year, export volumes fell 7.6%, while imports rose 10.1%, leaving the trade deficit at 3.9% of nominal GDP.

Domestic demand remained the main growth engine

According to the INS, domestic demand was the main source of economic growth in 2025. Final consumption increased 4.6%, while investment rose 6.8%. Household consumption expanded 4.4%, reflecting resilient consumer spending, while government consumption increased 6%, providing additional support to economic activity.

Investment also strengthened during the year. Gross fixed capital formation rose 6.8%, driven by a 16.3% increase in public investment and 4.2% growth in private investment. That spending supported sectors such as construction, engineering services and equipment-related activities.

At the same time, it raises a broader question about the quality of growth. A significant share of investment still relies on imported machinery, equipment and intermediate goods, suggesting that stronger domestic demand has also fueled higher imports.

Exports weakened as imports accelerated

External trade remained the economy’s main weak spot in 2025. Goods exports fell 10% in volume over the year, while services exports grew 2.7%.

Meanwhile, goods imports increased 10.6%, and services imports rose 7%. The result was an economy that relied increasingly on imported products to sustain domestic activity while generating fewer export earnings to offset those purchases.

The INS data show some improvement during the final quarter of the year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, total exports rose 3.5% between the third and fourth quarters of 2025, with goods exports increasing 6% and services exports 8.2%. Total imports edged down 0.1% over the same period.

That quarterly improvement, however, did not reverse the broader trend. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2024, total exports were still down 8.5%, while imports were up 13.2%.

Although the trade deficit narrowed during the fourth quarter to 4.5% of GDP for the period, the country still ended 2025 with a full-year trade deficit equivalent to 3.9% of nominal GDP.

Services continued to lead the economy

On the production side, the services sector remained Cameroon’s strongest growth driver. Output expanded 4.6% over the year, supported by financial services (9.7%), information and communications (9.3%), transport (4.2%) and public services (4.7%).

Industry posted more modest growth of 2%. Construction expanded 4.8%, while water supply and sanitation grew 6.4%. Those gains were partly offset by a 6.9% decline in extractive industries, particularly oil and gas.

Growth in the primary sector slowed to 1.7%. Industrial and export agriculture contracted 3.2%, reducing the sector’s contribution to export earnings at a time when stronger external sales are becoming increasingly important.

Growth remains uneven

The INS figures show that Cameroon’s economy continued to grow in 2025, supported by household spending, investment, construction and services. But they also point to an economy with an increasingly unbalanced growth model.

Domestic demand is providing solid support for activity, yet rising imports and weaker exports leave the country more exposed to external pressures and a widening trade gap.

Over the longer term, sustaining growth will require more than stronger domestic spending. It will depend on expanding productive capacity, increasing local manufacturing, reducing reliance on imports where feasible and strengthening the country’s export base. For now, Cameroon’s economy is growing. The next challenge will be making that growth more balanced and more competitive.

Source: Business in Cameroon

World Cup: Belgium ends President Donald Trump’s extraordinary intervention

7, July 2026

World Cup: Belgium ends President Donald Trump’s extraordinary intervention 0

Belgium dumped the United States out of their own World Cup Monday, as Charles De Ketelaere’s brace secured a 4-1 win that was eclipsed by the bitter row over Folarin Balogun’s ban.

Victory means the Belgians face Spain in the quarter-finals, while the US follow co-hosts Canada and Mexico out of the tournament with elimination in the round of 16 after a thoroughly flat performance.

All attention pre-game had been on Balogun’s place in the US starting lineup, after US President Donald Trump asked FIFA to review the striker’s one-game suspension for a red card, and the governing body controversially obliged.

But Belgium’s XI had a few surprises of its own, with Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku among the heavyweights benched. And coach Rudi Garcia’s gambit proved inspired, with De Ketelaere grabbing an early goal to puncture the feelgood vibes in Seattle.

Malik Tillman grabbed one back from a free kick, but De Ketelaere swiftly restored Belgium’s lead. A catastrophic piece of goalkeeping by Matt Freese and a late Romelu Lukaku goal left the Americans dead and buried.

FIFA’s move to suspend Balogun’s ban after he was sent off in the previous round against Bosnia and Herzegovina has been slammed by football fans, pundits and players around the world, but there were no such misgivings among the Seattle crowd.

Folarin Balogun of the US in action against Belgium.
Folarin Balogun of the US in action against Belgium.

A colossal roar greeted the stadium announcement of Balogun’s name in the starting XI, vastly dwarfing the cheers even for US talisman Christian Pulisic.

The “USA” thunderclap then echoed around the stadium, utterly drowning out a small corner of chanting Belgium fans in the opening minutes.

But the American party was swiftly silenced. The majority of 67,000 fans fell silent in the ninth minute as De Ketelaere scored, easily tapping home from close range after Nicolas Raskin’s cross evaded some lax defending.

It was the first time the Americans had conceded the opener all World Cup. With the atmosphere deflated, no immediate fightback was visible on the pitch either. The midfield was outgunned and the defense looked nervous.

On the half-hour mark, Balogun drew a foul on the edge of the area and whipped the crowd back to life. He waved his arms frantically as Malik Tillman — fresh from scoring a free kick against Bosnia — lined up the ball.

Tillman’s shot deflected off the Belgian wall and span into the net, and the stadium shook.

Dream over

But the joy was again short-lived. In the 33rd minute, De Ketelaere leapt up to meet Leandro Trossard’s cross and comfortably out-jumped an off-balance Tim Ream to score his second.

The US inched back into the game as the first half closed out, with Balogun blasting over from a long Tillman throw, then narrowly failing to catch a long ball, again from the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder.

Charles De Ketelaere, auteur d'un double face aux États-Unis
Charles De Ketelaere stunned the Seattle crowd with a first-half double.

US coach Mauricio Pochettino switched formation at half-time, sending Gio Reyna into the number 10 role and pushing Weston McKennie out to the right. The Americans resumed play with more intensity, pushing higher up the pitch.

But self-inflicted disaster struck in the 57th minute. Freese came out to collect a Belgium long ball, turned to evade the charging De Ketelaere, but then hesitated with his pass.

De Ketelaere jabbed the ball to Hans Vanaken, who made no mistake with an open goal from long range.

Pulisic limped off with an injury minutes later, and with him went the US dreams of reaching a first World Cup quarter-final since 2002.

His replacement, Sebastian Berhalter, flashed an ambitious shot narrowly wide in the 79th minute, and Balogun had a close-range effort saved soon after.

But Chris Richards handed the ball to Lukaku in stoppage time, and the veteran striker did not hestitate to seal the rout.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

Jeff Osife Mokube Affair: Audit Committee alleges mismanagement. What role did Ben Ntamack play?

6, July 2026

Jeff Osife Mokube Affair: Audit Committee alleges mismanagement. What role did Ben Ntamack play? 0

The AUDIT COMMITTEE that was created in the city of Leicester in England with the mandate to examine the financial management of the funeral funds of the late Tata Jeff Osife Mokube and report its findings to the donors and the wider community has released a report alleging mismanagement and repeated possible violations of Cameroonian community norms by Ben Ntamack.

The report, made public July 05, found that the finances for the late Jeff Osife Mokube funeral went into private pockets.

The Audit Committee Report disclosed that the late man’s mother received a miserable forty thousand FCFA while his dad had no idea that the Cameroonian community in Leicester had provided funds for Tata Jeff Osife’s home-going.

Officials of the audit committee could not be reached for comment.

Financial records throughout the funeral process revealed concerns, according to the Audit Committee Report, including irregular fund movements, cost allocation errors, compliance failures and weaknesses in financial controls.

A senior Cameroonian elite in Leicester who spoke to this reporter but sued for anonymity said the full scope of the financial problems will never become clear if Ben Ntamack is left to go scot-free.  

 “A lawsuit will be filed by the Cameroonian community in Leicester against Ben Ntamack” he quipped.

The Audit Committee other findings include serious deliberate errors in the cost of repatriation, wake keep allocation and funeral rites including systemic mismanagement and negligence which resulted in catastrophic and increased funeral bills both in Leicester and back home in Cameroon.

The Audit Committee Report also describes a pattern of broader calculated failures, including improper use of the funds raised by the Cameroonian community.

According to the Audit Committee Report, Cameroonians with a history of offenses such as theft and embezzlement should never be allowed to champion bereavement fund drives.

The Audit Committee attributed many of the issues outlined in the report — including the poor financial engineering of the funeral to the nasty environment within the group that was headed by Ben Ntamack.

A member of the Audit Committee was heard murmuring privately at the Clock Tower in Leicester City Centre that “everything about Ben Ntamack came across wrong, and all of the people we talked to just basically had nothing good to say about him and his integrity.”

The Leicester Audit Committee is not just acknowledging a Cameroonian problem, but it is solving it.

By Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai

Gov’t upgrades Ndop rice facilities to support import substitution

6, July 2026

Gov’t upgrades Ndop rice facilities to support import substitution 0

Cameroon is counting on Ndop to become one of the country’s leading rice-producing areas after investing more than CFA4 billion to modernize production and processing facilities at the Upper Noun Valley Development Authority (UNVDA).

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Gabriel Mbairobe inspected the new equipment on July 2 alongside North West Regional Council President Prof. Fru Angwafo III.

The government hopes the investment will increase UNVDA’s annual rice production from 21,000 tons to 100,000 tons, nearly a fivefold increase.

Achieving that goal, however, will require far more than new processing equipment. Expanding cultivated land, improving irrigation, ensuring access to seeds and fertilizer, strengthening farmer support, and increasing UNVDA’s capacity to purchase, process, and market paddy rice will all be critical.

Modern facilities, but production must follow

The newly installed equipment can process up to 20 tons of paddy rice per hour, replacing aging machinery that had long limited the authority’s operations. The upgrade should reduce processing bottlenecks, improve rice quality, and allow larger volumes of paddy to be handled.

But higher milling capacity does not automatically translate into higher agricultural output. UNVDA still faces challenges related to land development, irrigation, and farm productivity. Although the Ndop plains offer significant agricultural potential, only part of the available land has been developed for rice cultivation.

Unless irrigation systems, rural roads, improved seeds, fertilizers, and extension services expand alongside the processing facilities, the new plant could operate well below capacity. The government’s own assessment of the rice sector highlights these constraints. The Ministry of Agriculture cites post-harvest losses, insufficient milling capacity, outdated storage infrastructure, high input costs, shortages of improved seed varieties, limited mechanization, and inadequate irrigation among the industry’s biggest obstacles.

The Ndop investment addresses one of those challenges, but not all of them.

Reducing dependence on imported rice

The project is part of Cameroon’s broader effort to reduce its dependence on imported food. According to the National Institute of Statistics (INS), cereal imports totaled CFA466.9 billion in 2025, down 14.1% from the previous year but still accounting for 8.9% of the country’s total import bill.

Rice remained the largest imported cereal, with purchases valued at CFA268.7 billion, or 5.1% of total imports, despite declining 15.6% from 2024.

By increasing UNVDA’s processing capacity, the government hopes to expand domestic rice production, gradually replace imports, and create more value within local farming communities.

The initiative fits into Cameroon’s import substitution strategy, which aims to increase the productivity, output, and competitiveness of domestic agriculture.

Still, local rice will need to compete with lower-cost imports, particularly from Asia. That means producing enough rice of consistent quality, packaging it effectively, and keeping prices affordable for consumers.

More than equipment will determine success

Farmers have welcomed the arrival of the new facilities, saying they should shorten processing times, improve access to milling services, and increase the value of their harvests. However, producer prices, access to fertilizer and improved seeds, farm machinery, better roads, and UNVDA’s ability to purchase paddy on time will remain critical to the project’s success.

Security also remains a concern. UNVDA operates in Cameroon’s North West Region, which has been affected by the Anglophone crisis since 2017. Although the Ndop plains retain strong agricultural potential, insecurity continues to affect access to farms, the movement of farmers and inputs, and the transport of rice to markets.

Against that backdrop, the presence of the regional council president alongside the agriculture minister underscored the government’s intention to anchor the project within the region’s broader development strategy.

Ultimately, however, the success of the investment will depend less on political support than on whether it can secure the entire production chain.

The CFA4 billion investment marks an important step in modernizing UNVDA and strengthening Cameroon’s ambition to expand domestic rice production. But increasing annual output from 21,000 tons to 100,000 tons will require much more than new machinery. It will depend on whether higher processing capacity is matched by sustained gains in agricultural production and a more competitive local rice industry.

Source: Business in Cameroon

Sudan: Over 300 children killed or injured in war over six months

6, July 2026

Sudan: Over 300 children killed or injured in war over six months 0

More than 300 children have been killed or injured in Sudan during the past six months, with drone strikes responsible for most casualties, the UN children’s agency (UNICEF) says as fighting continues across several parts of the African country.

According to a statement released by UNICEF on Monday, around 60% of child casualties recorded during the period were caused by drone warfare. The agency said the conflict is currently concentrated in the Kordofan, Darfur, and Blue Nile States.

UNICEF said drone strikes and shelling have targeted civilian infrastructure, including schools, markets, fuel facilities, and water stations, placing more than 500,000 people at risk. It added that civilians have endured conditions resembling a siege for more than a year.

“Children are being caught in a relentless cycle of violence, displacement and deprivation,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF representative for Sudan.

The United Nations, meanwhile, called on all parties to the conflict “to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, allow and facilitate safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access, and take all possible measures to protect children from harm.”

Sudan has been engulfed in war since April 2023 between the Sudanese military and the so-called Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The UN has expressed alarm over the possibility of atrocities as the Sudanese military and the RSF militants battle for control of the strategic city of el-Obeid in North Kordofan.

UN rights council adopts Sudan measure

Also on Monday, the UN-backed Human Rights Council in Geneva approved, without a vote, a measure condemning escalating violence by the RSF and its allies in and around el-Obeid.

The measure also encourages increased support for countries hosting refugees from Sudan and condemns “all forms of external interference” in the conflict.

The war has killed at least 59,000 people, displaced about 13 million others and pushed many parts of Sudan into famine.

More than 30 million people across the country are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Source: Press TV

World Cup: Belgium blasts FIFA decision to clear US striker to play despite red card

6, July 2026

World Cup: Belgium blasts FIFA decision to clear US striker to play despite red card 0

Belgium’s football federation has expressed outrage over FIFA’s decision to permit United States striker Folarin Balogun to feature in Monday’s World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium, despite the forward receiving a red card in the previous round.

The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) said Sunday it was “astonished” by the ruling, while Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia delivered a sharp criticism of football’s governing body.

“I didn’t know July 5 was actually April 1 at the World Cup. This is an April Fools’ joke,” Garcia said following FIFA’s announcement that Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension had been placed on hold for a one-year probationary period.

The decision clears the 25-year-old striker to play in Monday’s knockout-stage clash in Seattle.

The RBFA said FIFA based its decision on Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code but argued that Article 66.4 of the same code states that a red card automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match.

It also cited Article 10.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Competition Regulations, which says a player sent off by a direct or indirect red card is “automatically” suspended for the team’s subsequent match.

The RBFA noted that the automatic nature of the suspension had been reaffirmed in FIFA World Cup 2026 Circular No. 16, distributed to all participating associations on May 12, and reiterated during match coordination meetings and tournament workshops.

“In order to safeguard the legitimate rights of all participating teams and to protect the fundamental principles of fair play in our sport, both at this FIFA World Cup and at future editions of the tournament, the RBFA is investigating all potential options,” the federation said.

The New York Times reported that US President Donald Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday to seek a review of Balogun’s suspension, citing three people familiar with the conversation.

Trump welcomed FIFA’s decision on his Truth Social platform, writing, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”

The White House has not confirmed that Trump contacted Infantino or claimed credit for the decision.

Politico later reported that US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was involved in behind-the-scenes conversations with FIFA to get Balogun’s red card ban suspended, citing two people familiar with the matter who were granted anonymity to discuss private deliberations. It noted that Lutnick has developed close ties with the leadership of soccer’s governing body.

The ruling marks the first time since 1962 that FIFA has allowed a player sent off at a World Cup to play in the next match.

Balogun was shown a red card in the 64th minute of the United States’ 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1 for awkwardly stepping on the back of Bosnian defender Tarik Muharemovic’s leg while jockeying for a bouncing ball.

The American striker has scored three goals at the tournament as the US seeks its first World Cup quarterfinal appearance since 2002.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the red card Thursday, telling reporters that the team was “treated unfairly.”

“I wish there were an appeals process for it. But it’s probably too late now,” he said.

Source: Press TV

Iran: Leader’s coffin in Tehran’s Azadi Square for funeral procession

6, July 2026

Iran: Leader’s coffin in Tehran’s Azadi Square for funeral procession 0

Millions of mourners lined the streets of Tehran on Monday morning as the coffin of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, was carried in a historic funeral procession to Azadi Square.

Mourners poured onto the streets of the Iranian capital as the funeral procession for the martyred Leader got underway, in what officials have described as the largest public gathering in the country’s modern history.

The procession, which drew millions of mourners from across the country, also carried the flag-draped coffins of several members of late Ayatollah Khamenei’s family, who were all martyred alongside the Leader on the first day of the recent US-Israeli war of aggression on February 28.

Dressed in black and beating their chests in mourning, large crowds packed the streets in Tehran as the funeral convoy made its way through the capital. Mourners chanted slogans calling for revenge for the Leader’s blood and resistance against adversaries, while waving Iranian flags and carrying his portraits.

Organizers expect the procession to last 10 to 12 hours, winding along a 10-kilometer route through Damavand Street, Imam Hossein Square, Enqelab Street, Enqelab Square, Azadi Street, Azadi Square, and Shahid Lashgari Highway, located near the Mehrabad airport.

Source: Presstv

France: Will Le Pen be barred from the French presidency?

5, July 2026

France: Will Le Pen be barred from the French presidency? 0

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s political fate will be decided on Tuesday when a Paris appeals court rules on whether she is eligible to run in the 2027 presidential elections, a verdict with major implications for France’s future. Le Pen is appealing her 2025 conviction for embezzling European Parliament funds to pay employees in her party.

The long-awaited verdict holds major implications for France’s political future. After months of waiting, the Paris Court of Appeal is due to rule on Tuesday on whether France’s far-right figurehead, Marine Le Pen, is eligible to run in the country’s 2027 presidential elections.

Le Pen, the long-time face of the National Rally (RN) party, is appealing a 2025 case in which she was convicted of embezzling European Parliament funds to pay her party’s employees. The conviction led to her being barred from running for public office for five years.

An acquittal is considered unlikely. But Le Pen might also see her penalty reduced, which could allow her to run for office. Or she could face a renewed conviction in line with the prosecution’s demands – effectively quashing any hopes of running for the presidency.

Le Pen has already run for president three times, but her popularity has risen significantly since her last attempt in 2022. As the clear front-runner in the polls for both the first and second rounds of the upcoming elections, she is well aware that her political fate lies with the July 7 decision.

“If the prosecution’s demands are upheld, I will be prevented from running,” she told French channel TF1-LCI on February 3.

In a separate interview with RTL in November 2025, when the appeal was scheduled for September, Le Pen also expressed her commitment to the broader far-right vision of the RN, even at the cost of her candidacy.

“I am not going to let things drag on, because I am committed to seeing our ideas come to power. If I am barred from running, but the Court of Cassation (the highest court in the French judicial system) rules in my favour three or four months later, it will be too late to run a proper presidential campaign,” she said.

Many legal experts believe Le Pen’s guilt was proven during the appeals trial. The judges are likely to follow the prosecution’s recommendations: a four-year prison sentence – with one year to be served in custody (eligible for electronic monitoring), a €100,000 fine and a five-year ban on holding public office. The verdict will not be immediately enforced.

Source: France 24

Football: Argentina survive Cape Verde scare to reach World Cup last 16

4, July 2026

Football: Argentina survive Cape Verde scare to reach World Cup last 16 0

Messi’s sublime control and finish for his seventh goal at this tournament in four games put the defending champions in command, but the Blue Sharks doggedly refused to go away.

Deroy Duarte’s strike on the hour mark forced Argentina to expand more energy than they would have wanted in the sapping Miami heat.

Lisandro Martinez briefly restored Argentina’s lead early in extra time before Sidny Lopes Cabral’s stunning shot rocketed into the top corner.

Another Argentina corner finally got the job done when Cristian Romero rose highest to head Messi’s corner, the ball going in off a deflection from Diney Borges for an own goal.

La Albiceleste will face Egypt on Tuesday in Atlanta, but there were concerns for Lionel Scaloni on his 100th match in charge despite what appears a favourable draw.

Scaloni said it “would have been madness” to lose to the underdogs.

“A very tough match; you always have to take the positives—this team (Argentina) never gives up,” he said.

“We have to congratulate the opponent. When people say there are no easy opponents, they proved today that they are a great team,” he added.

“We finished very tired… they gave it their all.”

Cape Verde had served warning of what they were capable of by holding European champions Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws in Group H to reach the knockout stages in their first World Cup appearance.

The Blue Sharks coach Bubista said the meeting with the world champions would be “the game of our lives” and it showed in a spirited display that had Argentina sweating.

On his return to the city where he plays his club football for Inter Miami, Messi’s every move was greeted like a god by the nearly 65,000 crowd, mainly in Argentina shirts.

Moments of magic

The 39-year-old produced a moment of magic with a feather-like touch from Lisandro Martinez’s pass to set up a high finish past Vozinha to open the scoring.

In doing so Messi also extended his own record of scoring in eight consecutive World Cup games and opened up a two-goal cushion once more over France’s Kylian Mbappe in the battle to be the competition’s all-time top goalscorer.

Emi Martinez had been a spectator in the first half, but the Aston Villa goalkeeper was forced into a smart save by Duarte as Cape Verde started the second period with more attacking intent.

Martinez was powerless for the equaliser moments later when Duarte was picked out by Ryan Mendes and rifled a low shot into the far corner.

Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha became an internet sensation after his man-of-the-match showing against Spain last month.

His nearly 18 million Instagram followers will have enjoyed him winning a one-on-one battle with Messi when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner seemed certain to restore Argentina’s lead.

Irish-born Pico Lopes was next to be a Cape Verdean hero with a crucial intervention to deny Enzo Fernandez a tap-in after more inspiration from Messi created an opening.

Lisandro Martinez’s rising drive after a corner fell the Manchester United defender’s way two minutes into extra-time looked to have swung the momentum decisively in Argentina’s favour once more.

But again Cape Verde refused to bow and levelled with one of the goals of the tournament when Lopes Cabral smashed into the top corner.

The full-back ran off into the stands to celebrate with his partner.

Elsewhere around the crowd, the boisterous atmosphere that had accompanied most of the evening gave way to nervous tension as penalties approached.

Scaloni could only wipe his furrowed brow with relief when Messi’s corner was turned in for an own goal by the unfortunate Borges.

Yet an exhausted Argentina still had to ride their luck from a Cape Verde onslaught in the final seconds.

Emi Martinez this time won the battle with Lopes Cabral by tipping over another sweet strike that was headed for the top corner.

“I’m taking away the contribution from everyone; we finished very tired… they gave it their all.”

Source: AFP

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