‘Why not?’ Cape Verde into last 32 to face holders Argentina | OneFootball

Cape Verde reached the World Cup last 32 for the first time after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in Houston on Friday, and will face holders Argentina in Miami next week.

The first half was tight and tense. L'Équipe notes the contest swung Cape Verde’s way after head coach Bubista made changes, and Nuno da Costa nearly won it in stoppage time.

At full time celebrations paused, with an unlikely twist in Spain v Uruguay still a threat. For two minutes players and fans waited before confirmation arrived and relief turned into unrestrained joy.

Man of the match Deroy Duarte said he had never felt such emotion on a pitch, the tension left him close to tears. Facing Argentina is a childhood dream, and after draws with Spain and Uruguay he kept asking, 'why not?'

Goalkeeper Vozinha reflected that Cape Verde had never imagined this journey, from qualifying to the last 32, and said the small country with a big heart would try to show it again in the next match.

Ryan Mendes urged the squad to savour the moment as music took over. Half the team danced through the mixed zone to funana, a fast, lively Cape Verde style, and even Bubista celebrated with a cigar in the dressing room.

Source: L'Équipe