Defending champions Argentina needed an extra-time own goal to beat Cape Verde 3-2 on Friday and reach the World Cup last 16, while Colombia advanced with a 1-0 win over Ghana.
In a dramatic last-32 match in Miami, tournament debutants Cape Verde twice came from behind and pushed Argentina to the brink.
With six minutes remaining in the second period of extra time, Lionel Messi delivered a corner into the box. Cristian Romero’s header deflected off Cape Verde defender Diney Borges and into the net, sealing Argentina’s place in the next round.
The victory sets up a last-16 meeting with Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday.
Cape Verde, playing at their first World Cup, produced another spirited display and were unfortunate to fall short after matching the three-time world champions for much of the match.
Messi gave Argentina the lead in the 29th minute when he controlled a long pass from Lisandro Martinez before firing into the roof of the net for his seventh goal of the tournament.
Cape Verde refused to be intimidated and equalised shortly before the hour mark through Deroy Duarte, who finished after being picked out by captain Ryan Mendes.
Argentina regained the lead early in extra time when Lisandro Martinez struck powerfully into the top corner, seemingly putting the South Americans on course for victory.
But Cape Verde responded again, with left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral curling a fine effort beyond Emiliano Martinez to make it 2-2.
After the decisive own goal, Lopes Cabral almost rescued Cape Verde once more, but Martinez pushed away his late free-kick.
“The match was incredibly tough,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after overseeing his 100th game in charge.
“I want to congratulate our opponents. Today, they showed they are a great team. When it is said there are no easy matches in the World Cup, it’s true.”
Cape Verde coach Bubista praised his players despite the defeat.
“We must take pride in what we’ve done for our country,” he said. “To be able to play the way we did against the world champions, and to draw level twice, is something incredible.”
The island nation, ranked 67th in the world before the tournament, exits with its reputation enhanced after holding Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws in the group stage before pushing Argentina to extra time.
Earlier in Kansas City, Colombia booked their place in the last 16 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ghana.
Jhon Arias scored the only goal of the match in the 14th minute, finishing from close range after Luis Suarez’s cross drifted through the penalty area.
The goal proved enough as Colombia dominated much of the contest, recording 20 shots to Ghana’s eight and keeping the Black Stars without an effort on target.
Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas was largely untroubled as his side controlled the game and continued their impressive tournament run.
Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi produced several strong saves to keep the scoreline narrow, denying Gustavo Puerta, Luis Diaz and Davinson Sanchez.
Colombia were unable to add to its lead but saw out the game to reach the knockout stage.
They will now face Switzerland in Vancouver on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals.
While Colombia progressed with relative comfort, the evening belonged to Cape Verde’s remarkable display against Argentina — a performance that earned admiration despite ending in heartbreak.
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