Cape Verde may have been the World Cup's smallest nation, but they have certainly made a big impact.
Forget Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane - it is the tournament debutants who have become the centre of attention.
There were the heroics of goalkeeper Vozinha as they earned their first World Cup point against Spain. There were the thrills as they scored their first World Cup goals against Uruguay. There was Sidny Lopes Cabral's wonder goal as they almost causing the competition's biggest shock against Argentina. Cape Verde's World Cup journey had it all.
When the whistle blew to bring extra time to an end in Miami, the Blue Sharks players slumped to the turf after a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat by reigning champions Argentina but they can leave the United States knowing they have won many hearts.
"Cape Verde have lost, but they've won," said former Scotland international James McFadden on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Forget Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane - it is the tournament debutants who have become the centre of attention.
There were the heroics of goalkeeper Vozinha as they earned their first World Cup point against Spain. There were the thrills as they scored their first World Cup goals against Uruguay. There was Sidny Lopes Cabral's wonder goal as they almost causing the competition's biggest shock against Argentina. Cape Verde's World Cup journey had it all.
When the whistle blew to bring extra time to an end in Miami, the Blue Sharks players slumped to the turf after a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat by reigning champions Argentina but they can leave the United States knowing they have won many hearts.
"Cape Verde have lost, but they've won," said former Scotland international James McFadden on BBC Radio 5 Live.
3 months ago
