Cabo Verde’s miracle run, World Cup revelation to face Messi in Miami | OneFootball

Cabo Verde have become the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockout phase after three draws, and will face Messi’s Argentina in Miami next week.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, a 0-0 with Saudi Arabia in Houston sealed second place, provided Uruguay did not defeat Spain in Guadalajara, which they did not. The stalemate looked likelier to tilt Cabo Verde’s way. Earlier, they held European champions Spain on debut, then drew with two-time world champions Uruguay.

They are the sixth team to advance without a win, the first to do so since Chile at France 1998. They are unbeaten, something Germany, Croatia and Norway cannot claim.

Across nine completed groups, only Spain and Mexico, both on 0, and Brazil on 1, have conceded fewer than Cabo Verde. Goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, has let in two, both against Uruguay, after excelling against Spain.

Head coach Bubista, in charge since 2020 after a modest domestic career, expressed pride in advancing and in a small nation that fights for its aims. He also highlighted historic ties with Argentina and a sizeable diaspora. Cabo Verde has roughly half a million people.

Celebrations rippled through the diaspora, from Portugal and the Netherlands to Burela in Lugo, home to around 1,000 Cabo Verdeans. At home and in Houston, players and supporters marked qualification as if they had won the World Cup.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo