Cape Verde, surprise package, take on Argentina in Miami with diaspora backing | OneFootball

Cape Verde, the surprise of the group stage, face Argentina in the World Cup last 32 in Miami at midnight from Friday into Saturday. L'Équipe reports the Blue Sharks head in unburdened and buoyed by fervent support from Cape Verdeans across the United States.

Based in Tampa, Cape Verde are using Waters Sportsplex near the airport. By 10am on Tuesday they were working in 32C heat, music drifting from the dressing room but faces set and sessions sharp.

The buzz began with the 0-0 against Spain on 15 June, then a 0-0 with Saudi Arabia sealed progress in Houston. To avoid distraction, access has been cut to 15 minutes on Tuesday and Wednesday. A rape complaint against captain Ryan Mendes has not helped.

Ambition endures. President José Maria Neves has even forecast a 1-0 win, while the internal message is that they have nothing to lose and Messi has more to lose.

Few have travelled from the islands given ticket prices, though families are expected despite Trump-era restrictions and many have arrived on European passports. Across the country, watch parties underline a community intent on showing its culture and pride.

There are at least 800,000 Cape Verdeans abroad, 142,000 officially in the United States, more than the 600,000 at home. The rallying cry is “1%! 1%! 1%!”, born of 1% odds to go unbeaten, and now a reminder of the task against Messi and the world champions.

Source: L'Équipe