Houston, United States: Cape Verde’s World Cup history was made after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia helped the island nation reach the knockout stage for the first time.
Cape Verde finished as Group H runners-up after Spain beat Uruguay, a result the players watched on a mobile phone on the pitch, according to the BBC.
The qualification made Cape Verde the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockout stage.
Cape Verde will face defending champions Argentina in Miami in the last 32 on Friday. Coach Bubista said nothing was impossible after Cape Verde secured the tie against Lionel Messi’s side.
Midfielder Deroy Duarte, named man of the match against Saudi Arabia, said the achievement felt like a dream. The result followed Cape Verde’s 0-0 draw with Spain and 2-2 draw with two-time champions Uruguay.
Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha made seven saves against Spain in Cape Verde’s opening Group H match. The Blue Sharks also conceded only one foul in that game, the fewest recorded by a team in a World Cup match since 1966.
Cape Verde’s squad has drawn heavily on the country’s diaspora. The 14 members of the 26-man squad were born abroad, including six from Rotterdam.
Forward Dailon Livramento, who played for Casa Pia in Portugal, scored the decisive goal in qualifying against Cameroon.
Centre-back Roberto Lopes said Cape Verde had built confidence through a long-term plan to compete with major football nations.
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Bubista, who has coached the side since January 2020, built a compact team with an organised defence, technical midfielders and quick forwards.
Former Spain midfielder Juan Mata said Cape Verde had performed at the highest level across three matches. The Cape Verde World Cup run came on the country’s debut appearance at the tournament.
