HOUSTON — Cape Verde secured a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia to clinch second place in Group H and become the smallest nation to advance to the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds, according to the report. The result set off celebrations inside NRG Stadium, a drum party in a nearby strip mall and gatherings as far afield as Massachusetts and Rotterdam.
The result completed a run of three straight draws for the Blue Sharks, who followed a 0-0 tie with Spain and a 2-2 draw with Uruguay. The group finish puts Cape Verde into an elimination match against Argentina and Lionel Messi in the next round. Goalkeeper Vozinha said the team had not expected to reach this stage but believes the squad has the quality to face the challenge.
Cape Verde has a population roughly the size of Fresno, California, about 530,000, and fields a true underdog roster. The 26-man group represented 26 different clubs across 14 countries last season, with seven players based in Portugal, the former colonial power. The nation won independence from Portugal in 1975 and joined FIFA in 1986.
Per Opta, Cape Verde players accounted for 2,970 minutes at the tournament, but only 256 of those minutes were logged by players employed at clubs ranked in the top 100 worldwide: 166 minutes by left back Sidny Cabral (Benfica) and 90 by left winger Willy Semedo (Omonia Nicosia). Vozinha is a free agent after playing in Portugal’s second division last season; midfielder Deroy Duarte plays for Ludogorets Razgrad. Other contributors come from clubs in the UAE, Ireland, Turkey, the Netherlands and Israel.
The draw with Spain was a defensive landmark: Spain took 27 shots, Cape Verde blocked eight and Vozinha made seven saves, with the crossbar denying another effort from Ferran Torres. Against Uruguay, Cape Verde took an early lead but conceded twice before halftime before rallying to earn a 2-2 draw, a match midfielder Deroy Duarte described as deeply emotional for the team.
Having advanced with three draws, Cape Verde will face Argentina in the knockout stage, the next step in a historic World Cup appearance for the island nation.
