Cape Verde — Africa’s smallest nation and a World Cup first-timer — is still basking in the momentum of an extraordinary debut. Their campaign has captured imaginations around the globe, offering supporters a rare kind of storybook football.
To keep the fairytale rolling, Cape Verde have produced another improbable group-stage performance, extending their run to a third consecutive World Cup draw. The result came in Friday night’s 0-0 stalemate against Saudi Arabia, securing their place in the tournament’s knockout phase as the smallest country to achieve the feat.
The island nation off the west coast of Africa has been making a statement on football’s biggest stage. After holding 2010 champions Spain to a goalless draw, they followed it by recovering from a setback to earn a 2-2 draw with Uruguay.
With three points on the board, Cape Verde finished second in the group behind Spain. Spain secured top spot on Friday night by beating Uruguay in their match.
Next up for Cape Verde is a showdown with reigning World Cup champions Argentina. The match is scheduled for Miami on July 3.
Managing three draws in the group does not automatically guarantee progress in major tournaments. That said, there are precedents: Wales managed three draws to advance at the 1958 World Cup, while Ireland and the Netherlands both did it in 1990, and Chile repeated the feat in 1998. New Zealand, however, also recorded three draws at the 2010 World Cup and still fell short of qualification.
Ahead of the contest, Cape Verde coach Bubista summed up the mindset in front of the spotlight, saying, “everyone is entitled to dream and nothing is impossible.”
