"Dignificámos o nosso país. Recuperámos duas vezes da desvantagem contra os campeões do mundo, levámos o jogo para prolongamento… Mais do que tudo, orgulho dos nossos jogadores, do grupo de trabalho. O nosso país fica dignificado."
Pep Guardiola on Cape Verde scoring against Argentina in their first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout match:
🗣️ “This is why the FIFA World Cup is the most beautiful competition in football. A country with a population of roughly 500,000 has just scored against one of the greatest football nations in history on the biggest stage of them all.
Deroy Duarte's goal is worth far more than just an equaliser. It's a moment that every child in Cape Verde will grow up watching. It tells an entire generation that dreams don't depend on the size of your country they depend on the size of your belief.
People always talk about Argentina's stars, but tonight the football world stopped to applaud Cape Verde. They played without fear, with courage and with pride, and they created a moment that their nation will remember forever.
This is the magic of football. It doesn't care about population, history or reputation. It rewards courage. For one unforgettable moment, Cape Verde made millions around the world believe that anything is possible.
No matter how this match ends, Deroy Duarte's goal has already become one of the most emotional moments of this World Cup. Some goals win matches... others win the hearts of the entire football world.”
VOZINHA'S WORLD CUP STORY HAS BEEN TRULY TRANSCENDENT ❤️
A 40-year-old goalkeeper from the Portuguese second division put Cape Verde on the world stage 🌍
🚨🇨🇻 Nobody Will Ever Call Cape Verde a Small Team Again” — Rio Ferdinand
“I’ve watched football for a long time, and I’ve learned something tonight.
We spend too much time talking about big countries and famous names. Football doesn’t care about any of that.
Cape Verde arrived at this tournament for the very first time in their history. Most people expected them to disappear quietly. Instead, they nearly produced one of the biggest upsets the World Cup has ever seen.
Their organisation was outstanding. Their defenders won tackles they had no right to win. Their goalkeeper kept making saves that gave his teammates belief. The midfield kept running even deep into extra time. Their substitutes didn’t look nervous—they looked hungry.
Even after conceding, they kept responding. That’s mentality. That’s character.
Argentina eventually found the winning goal because that’s what champions do, but don’t let the final score fool you. They had to earn every single minute of this victory.
Cape Verde have earned something far bigger than sympathy tonight. They’ve earned global respect.”
#ARGCPV
🚨 Drogba on Cape Verde after Argentina’s win:
🗣️ Reporter:
“Argentina are through, but what did you make of Cape Verde?”
🗣️ Drogba:
“I don’t remember watching a team play Argentina with so little fear. Argentina scored. Cape Verde answered. Argentina scored again. Cape Verde answered with probably the best goal of the tournament.
At no point did they play like a team that believed they were supposed to lose. That’s what impressed me.
Before this tournament people asked me who the surprise package would be. Some said Croatia. Some said Japan. I don’t think anyone expected Cape Verde.
They played Uruguay. They played Spain. They played Argentina. And somehow every game felt like the other team had to earn it. They may be going home.…but they’ve made the whole football world remember their name.”
Drew with Spain ✅
Drew with Uruguay ✅
Didn't lose a game in normal time ✅
Pushed the holders to the limit ✅
Their 2026 adventure is over, but what an incredible first World Cup for Cape Verde! 🇨🇻
🇨🇻❤️ Cape Verde. THANK YOU. In their first ever World Cup, they did not lose a match in their group and even got a draw against Spain and Uruguay. 👏
They just produced a fantastic display against the defending champions Argentina.
For a nation with population of just over 500,00 people, they can be very proud of their achievements this summer. ✨
🚨BREAKING: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been found guilty of corruption in favor of Argentina
Enough evidence has been brought up against him concerning the allegations. The decision will be made soon
🚨BREAKING: FIFA Pres Gianni Infantino could face demotion from his position and and fines of up to £5m if the allegations are true.
He stands accused of allegedly ordering match officials to favor Argentina since 2022
Zlatan gives his thoughts on the beautiful story behind Cape Verde becoming the smallest nation ever to advance to the Knockout Stage 🇨🇻
@Ibra_official
Historical World Cup for African teams. 🌍✊🏿
✅🇿🇦 South Africa
✅🇨🇻 Cape Verde
✅🇨🇮 Ivory Coast
✅🇲🇦 Morocco
✅🇸🇳 Senegal
✅🇬🇭 Ghana
✅🇪🇬 Egypt
✅🇨🇩 RD Congo
✅🇩🇿 Algeria
❌🇹🇳 Tunisia
9️⃣/🔟 teams have qualified to World Cup Round of 32 👏🏾✨