Cape Verde clinched a historic knockout‑stage berth in a pulse‑pounding final minute, now set for a showdown with Argentina

Cape Verde’s journey into the World Cup’s round of 32 unfolded in a breathless minute that stretched into an eternity for the players. After a 0‑0 draw with Saudi Arabia in Houston, the squad’s fate hung on the result of Spain’s match against Uruguay in Mexico, leaving them hovering on the edge of history.

The tension was palpable as the final whistle echoed in Texas and the players milled about the pitch, shaking hands with the Saudis and gathering around a phone to watch the closing stages in Guadalajara. A goal from Spain would secure Cape Verde’s second‑place finish in Group H and grant them automatic qualification.

When the screens flashed Spain ahead, the relief came almost instantly. The final whistle from Mexico arrived moments later, confirming a 1‑0 victory for the Spaniards and sending Cape Verde into a frenzy of celebration. “It was a minute that felt like forever,” said midfielder Deroy Duarte after the match, reflecting on the dramatic wait. “Everyone was just waiting and praying. We deserved it so much; the joy was something I’ve never felt before.”

Celebrations spilled onto the field and beyond. Head coach Bubista waved a giant Cape Verde flag, winger Garry Rodrigues donned the team’s blue‑shark mask, and a pair of black Stetsons made an unexpected appearance in the Texas night. The players danced through the interview zone, carrying the same speaker they used for nightly parties back in Praia last year.

Pico Lopes, whose revels were cut short by a doping‑test selection, still managed to take a videocall from his Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, who was live on Irish television at the time.

Pico Lopes answers the call from his club manager Stephen Bradley after a historic night for Cape Verde

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The achievement is no fairy tale; it stems from meticulous planning and a touch of luck. This marks only the second time a team has reached the knockout phase with just three points from three group matches since the introduction of three‑point‑for‑a‑win, and the first since 1998 for a side that finished top of its group without a victory.

Cape Verde’s path was far from easy. Duarte spurned a clear late chance, and Nuno da Costa squandered an open‑goal opportunity in stoppage time against Saudi Arabia. Had the Saudis managed to score, they would have sent Cape Verde home, leaving them to rue their own missed chances.

Should Cape Verde progress past Argentina, they would face Australia or Egypt in the last 16 (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images)

Now the narrative belongs to the players, especially goalkeeper Vozinha, whose unlikely rise has turned him into a tournament sensation. After Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup goal a few days earlier, the spotlight shifted to Vozinha, a 40‑year‑old keeper who had almost retired the previous year but now occupies center stage.

“We’re from a small country, but we came here to compete,” Vozinha told reporters. “There’s a lot of quality in our national team. Some may have doubted us, but we’ve shown we belong among the best.”

After an anxious wait, Cape Verde’s players broke into celebration (Ronaldo Schemidt /AFP via Getty Images)

The squad’s underdog story has captured fans far beyond its islands. Outside NRG Stadium, supporters from the United States, Italy, and Wales—some dressed in Cape Verde gear—were drawn to the team’s charisma. “We were looking for cheap tickets, but we fell in love with them during the group stage,” said Will, part of a mixed‑nationality group gathered near the stadium.

Cape Verde fans

Nick Miller

Now the focus turns to Argentina, where Lionel Messi and company await in Miami. “Why not us?” has become the mantra for Cape Verde as they prepare for the defending champions. “We need to believe we can go on,” winger Jovane Cabral affirmed. “Our first goal was to qualify, then to get through the group. We’ve done that. Now we have another chance to make history.”

Coach Bubista echoed the sentiment, declaring, “We have shown that small nations can chase big dreams with focus, determination, and organization. Nothing is impossible.”

“I’ve only seen Argentina on television,” Duarte added. “First we’ll celebrate, then we’ll concentrate. We knew a clash with them was possible. We didn’t concede against Spain, so why not?”

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