Cape Verde advances to World Cup knockout stage, to face Argentina

By Rohan Gupta — 27 June 2026 — 3 min read

Cape Verde has made history by becoming the smallest nation to reach the knockout phase of the World Cup. The team secured a spot in the round of 32 following a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia in Houston. This result sets up an encounter with defending champions Argentina in Miami.

The island nation, making its debut in the tournament, concluded its Group H matches with three consecutive draws. Their performance included a 0-0 stalemate against 2010 champion Spain and a 2-2 draw against Uruguay, where they demonstrated resilience by battling from behind. These three points placed Cape Verde in second position within Group H, behind Spain, who topped the group with seven points after defeating Uruguay 1-0.

Historic Advancement and Celebrations

The achievement marks a significant milestone for Cape Verde, a nation with approximately 500,000 people. Following the final whistle of their match against Saudi Arabia, players and staff gathered, anxiously checking their phones for the result of the other group match. When the outcome confirmed their advancement, celebrations erupted, met with cheers from their supporters who had been drumming throughout the night.

Many players lingered on the pitch at Houston Stadium, taking photographs, embracing each other, and draping themselves in flags. This allowed them to fully absorb the historic moment for their country. Deroy Duarte, named man-of-the-match, expressed his disbelief, stating that he felt like he was in a dream, having always aspired to play in a World Cup since childhood.

Looking ahead, Duarte acknowledged the challenge of facing Argentina but maintained a belief that anything is possible. The team is scheduled to play Argentina on July 3 in Miami.

Match Performance and Future Strategy

The match against Saudi Arabia saw Cape Verde attempting to play their distinct style of football. Dailon Livramento noted that the game provided an opportunity to showcase their approach. He also recognised the need for improved finishing against Argentina, particularly after failing to convert several clear chances against the Saudis.

During the game, Cape Verde appeared more likely to score but lacked composure in the attacking third. One notable opportunity saw Laros Duarte miss a one-on-one chance with goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais. Both teams started with intensity, understanding the importance of securing a spot in the round of 32, but the initial period was marked by misplaced passes and mistimed tackles.

An early chance for Cape Verde came when Willy Semedo cut in from the left flank and took a shot from a tight angle. The African side gradually increased their pressure after a cautious start. Saudi Arabia‘s first attempt on target came in first-half stoppage time, with Mohamed Kanno heading the ball directly at Cape Verde‘s 40-year-old goalkeeper, Vozinha.

In the second half, Cape Verde continued to press for a goal, registering 15 attempts, but could not convert their opportunities. Saudi Arabia struggled to mount effective attacks. Coach Georgios Donis attributed his team’s struggles to their inability to maintain possession and create threats in the final third, stating that it is challenging to win a match without controlling the pace and tempo, and without creating chances in attack. Saudi Arabia exited the tournament without a win from their three Group H games, having scored only a single goal.

While drawing all three group matches does not automatically guarantee advancement in major tournaments, several teams have achieved this feat in the past, including Wales in 1958, Ireland and the Netherlands in 1990, and Chile in 1998. In contrast, New Zealand was eliminated in 2010 despite also securing three draws. Cape Verde‘s next match against Argentina is scheduled for July 3.

Source: thehindu.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter