Argentina were taken into extra time by Cape Verde but eventually prevailed 3-2, with Lionel Messi on the scoresheet, in the World Cup round of 32 in Miami on Friday.
The decisive goal was an own goal by Diney Borges as he challenged Cristian Romero in the air from a Messi set piece after 111 minutes.
Messi's opener was canceled out by Deroy Duarte, then in extra time Lisandro Martínez struck before an excellent Sidny Lopes Cabral equalizer. Cape Verde's hearts were broken when Borges got the final touch when Messi swung the ball into the box.
Argentina avoided statistically the biggest upset in World Cup knockout history, as the No.1 ranked FIFA side against No. 67. The defending champions will face Egypt -- who beat Australia in a shootout earlier Friday -- in the round of 16 in Atlanta on Tuesday.
"As this team has demonstrated many times, and as I've said many times, it competes," Messi said in Spanish. "And we competed to the end."
Messi has seven goals in this World Cup -- one more than Kylian Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot as the top scorer of the tournament -- and has scored 12 times in his past eight World Cup matches.
Messi gave Argentina a 29th-minute lead by breathtakingly controlling a Martínez pass into the box with the outside of his left boot before swiftly flicking the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper, Vozinha. Messi became the first World Cup player to score in eight consecutive appearances.
It was his record-extending 20th World Cup goal in his 30th men's World Cup appearance, increasing his record for the most games played. Cristiano Ronaldo is second with 26.
Cape Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper, who plays in the second division in Portugal but has become an unlikely World Cup star, would later deny Messi's right-footed finish, his deflected free kick and an attempt in extra time.
Cape Verde's shock equalizer came after 59 minutes when Duarte's low, drilled shot beat Emiliano Martínez.
Despite Argentina's best efforts, they were forced into extra time -- notably because of Vozinha's save from Messi's free kick.
"We dignify what our country is. We drew twice against the world champions, we took it to extra time," Cape Verde coach Bubista said. "More than anything, it's being proud of our players who were dignified in the World Cup. We showed our identity."
It didn't take center back Martínez long to rifle a shot high past Vozinha after a Messi corner. But Cabral sensationally drew the African side level by cutting inside from the left and curling a right-footed shot into the far corner, on 103 minutes.
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With a penalty shootout looming, Argentina somehow found a crucial third goal when Borges put through his own net. Even then, Emiliano Martínez needed to make two smart saves to keep Cape Verde from a third equalizer.
"I have to give credit to our opponents," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. "The truth is, when people say there's no such thing as an easy opponent, today [Cape Verde] proved they're a great team."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.