Cape Verde into World Cup knockouts: The lessons for small nations dreaming big

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(Photo: CNA/Matthew Mohan) New: You can now listen to articles. This audio is generated by an AI tool. Matthew Mohan Matthew Mohan 27 Jun 2026 10:31AM (Updated: 27 Jun 2026 10:48AM) Bookmark Bookmark Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Set CNA as your preferred source on Google Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results.

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Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST HOUSTON, Texas: When Cape Verde was drawn into a group with former world champions Spain and Uruguay, as well as Asian giant Saudi Arabia, it seemed unlikely the island nation would make it through to the World Cup knockouts.But after three draws, the team sits second in Group H and has made it through to the next round, where they face reigning champion Argentina."You have to believe," said Cape Verde coach Bubista when asked by CNA at a pre-match conference on what it takes to follow in the footsteps of a small nation that has stunned everybody at the World Cup."

You have to dream, and to work hard in order to make the dream come true," he added. CNA Games Guess Word Crack the word, one row at a time Buzzword Create words using the given letters Mini Sudoku Tiny puzzle, mighty brain teaser Mini Crossword Small grid, big challenge Word Search Spot as many words as you can Show More Show Less "You have to know that nothing is impossible."On Friday (Jun 26) night at the Houston Stadium, this unbeaten team did just that.

Cape Verde's Dailon Livramento celebrates after the match against Saudi Arabia as they qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup, Jun 26, 2026. (Photo: Imagn Images/Troy Taormina via Reuters) GIVING THEIR HEART AND BLOODCape Verde have been one of the biggest stories of the World Cup in their tournament debut.The Tubaroes Azuis, or Blue Sharks in Portuguese, stunned the world when they held European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw in their opening match.

Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, in particular, stole the headlines with a player-of-the-match performance after making seven saves during the match, six of them from inside the box.He is now the oldest goalkeeper in the tournament's history to keep a clean sheet on debut.They then backed up that performance with a 2-2 draw against two-time champions Uruguay in their second match.

And with Spain beating Uruguay 1-0 on the final day and Cape Verde drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia, the Blue Sharks made it thr