Players huddled around a mobile phone on the pitch, waiting for the final whistle from Guadalajara. When it came, tears flowed on the turf and in the stands. Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup knockout stage, had done it.
The group of 10 Atlantic islands with just 525,000 inhabitants secured second place in Group H after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia, while Spain beat Uruguay 1-0 in a fiery encounter. "Tears of pride and joy all around the stands," said BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Rob Law in Houston. "What a moment. The moment of the World Cup so far."
“Cape Verde become smallest nation to reach World Cup last 32 after goalless draw with Saudi Arabia and Spain's win over Uruguay.”
The reward for Bubista's side is a glamour last-32 tie against defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi. The match will be played next Friday.
Cape Verde's remarkable run began with a 0-0 draw against European champions Spain, where 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha was the hero. They followed that with a 2-2 draw against two-time World Cup winners Uruguay. "It's incredible what they are doing, it wasn't just one game against Spain, it is three games at the highest level," said Spain's former World Cup winner Juan Mata on ITV.
The team's success is largely built on drawing from the diaspora. Fourteen members of their 26-man squad were born abroad, with six hailing from the Dutch port city of Rotterdam. Forward Dailon Livramento, who spent last season at Casa Pia in Portugal, scored the only goal in the vital qualifying win over Cameroon last September.
"The FCF has made significant progress through passion, commitment and a clear technical plan," Josina Freitas Fortes, a member of Cape Verde's parliament, told BBC Sport Africa. "The results we are seeing are largely the product of years of consistent work, strong belief and people who have given their heart to the project."
Zlatan Ibrahimovic beamed on Fox Sports: "Cape Verde. Small island. Big dreams."
Spain finished top of Group H after a 1-0 win over Uruguay at Guadalajara Stadium. Alex Baena scored the only goal in the 42nd minute, guiding a cross into the bottom right corner past goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. Uruguay's misery deepened when Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte was stretchered off after a collision with a teammate, and Agustin Canobbio received a straight red card in added time. Uruguay were eliminated, finishing third.
Cape Verde's achievement also gave Scotland a World Cup lifeline, as Uruguay's defeat means they finish lower than Steve Clarke's side among third-place finishers, keeping Scotland's hopes alive by the slimmest of margins.