Cape Verde stun World Cup to set up Argentina clash

Cape Verde have made history by becoming the smallest nation to reach the knockout stage at a World Cup. The team from the 10-island archipelago secured second place in Group H after a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia, with Spain's win over Uruguay confirming their progress.

Players huddled around a mobile phone on the pitch after their match to watch the final moments of Spain-Uruguay. When the full-time whistle blew, tears of joy flowed both on the field and in the stands. BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Rob Law described it as "the moment of the World Cup so far."

Their campaign included a remarkable goalless draw against Spain, where 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha made seven saves, and a 2-2 draw with two-time champions Uruguay. The side showed incredible discipline: in the Spain match, they conceded only one foul, the fewest by a team in a World Cup game since 1966.

How has a nation of just 525,000 inhabitants, which qualified ahead of five-time African champions Cameroon, reached this level? The main reason is the decision by Cape Verde's football federation to recruit players from the diaspora. Fourteen of the 26-man squad were born abroad, with six from the Dutch port city of Rotterdam. Forward Dailon Livramento, born in Rotterdam, scored the only goal in the crucial qualifier against Cameroon.

Dublin-born defender Roberto Lopes was discovered via LinkedIn, while former Manchester United winger Bebe represented Cape Verde at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Much credit goes to coach Bubista, a former international who took charge in January 2020. He has built a compact, well-drilled team that reached the Afcon quarter-finals in 2023. Bubista was named African coach of the year for 2025 by CAF. He had predicted his side would reach the World Cup, saying, "Football belongs to everyone."

Cape Verde's reward is a last-32 match against Lionel Messi's Argentina in Miami on Friday. "Honestly, it's mad. I feel like I'm in a dream," said midfielder Deroy Duarte, named man of the match against Saudi Arabia.