Cape Verde have etched their name into FIFA World Cup history after becoming the smallest nation ever to reach the tournament’s knockout stage following a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia in their final Group H match on Friday.
The island nation, with a population of just over 600,000, secured qualification in their maiden World Cup appearance after finishing the group stage unbeaten with three draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
“We are small,” said Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper, Vozinha. “But we have big hearts and we are fighters.”
Cape Verde stunned football fans in their opening match by holding pre-tournament favourites Spain to a 0-0 draw before earning another impressive result in a 2-2 draw against two-time world champions Uruguay, where they scored their first-ever FIFA World Cup goals.
The draw against Saudi Arabia ensured Cape Verde finished second in Group H with three points, behind 2010 world champions Spain and one point ahead of Uruguay, sealing one of the biggest surprises of the tournament.
The debutants will now face defending champions Argentina in the Round of 32 on July 3 in Miami Gardens, Florida, as they look to continue their remarkable World Cup journey.