Celebrations broke out in Praia early Saturday as Cape Verde’s spirited World Cup run ended in a narrow 3–2 extra-time defeat to Argentina, with fans applauding what many described as a historic performance.
The 500,000-strong island nation reached the knockout stage in its first World Cup appearance after holding Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia to draws in the group phase.
In Miami, Cape Verde came close to another shock, forcing the defending champions to work hard before Argentina eventually secured victory in the last-32 encounter. A 111th-minute own goal from Diney Borges proved decisive after Deroy Duarte had earlier equalised to take the game into extra time.
Despite the defeat, supporters praised the team’s courage and resilience. “We lost the match, but we feel like we achieved a victory because we held our own against the world champions,” fan Adilson Soaresz told AFP. “Cape Verde was magnificent”.
The team’s unexpected success turned them into one of the standout stories of the expanded tournament, sparking celebrations in Praia that lasted until around 3:00 am with music, horns, and vuvuzelas filling the streets.
“Cape Verde leaves the World Cup with its head held high”, supporter Pedro Ramos told AFP. “We were so close to beating Argentina. We were allowed to dream”, he added, noting the Blue Sharks made “the Argentines sweat”.
The match drew a stunned reaction from the largely Argentine crowd in Florida as Cape Verde pushed the game to extra time in dramatic fashion.
“It felt like watching a World Cup final”, said diplomat Armando Lopes. “Who would have ever imagined that Cape Verde would push Argentina to extra-time in a World Cup match?”
Ahead of the match, coach Bubista said: “We are calm because we earned our place here on merit and there is nothing to fear or worry too much about”
“We know the importance of the match ahead. It is the match of our lives, but we are going to enjoy it and give our best.”
