Cape Verde's forward #07 Jovane Cabral met Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi after the 2026 World Cup round of 32 match on July 3, 2026. The match took place at the Miami Stadium in Miami Gardens. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)
Cheers broke out, drums rolled, and car horns honked: Cape Verde’s close loss to Argentina was a reason to celebrate early Saturday in Praia. The Blue Sharks' World Cup journey ended on a high note, even if it was sad.
The small island nation of about 500,000 people made it to the knockout stages of their first World Cup. They drew with European champions Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia in the group stage.
However, after a thrilling match in Miami where Cape Verde challenged Argentina, the reigning champions won 3-2. This meant the underdogs' journey was over.
“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 Atlantic island nation has become one of the standout stories of this year’s 48-team tournament, surprising everyone.
In Praia, celebrations went on until nearly 3:00 am (0400 GMT) with vuvuzelas and live music filling the streets.
“Cape Verde leaves the World Cup with its head held high,” supporter Pedro Ramos told AFP from a fan zone in Praia where Cape Verdeans and visitors gathered to watch the game.
“We were so close to beating Argentina. We were allowed to dream,” he said, happy that the Blue Sharks made “the Argentines sweat.”
The large Argentine crowd in Florida was shocked on the hour mark when Deroy Duarte scored an equaliser for the Blue Sharks, taking the game into extra time.
But an own goal from Diney Borges, under pressure from Argentina’s Cristian Romero in the 111th minute, decided the match. Argentina moved on to face Egypt.
Cape Verde’s remarkable performance against the world champions and the game's thrilling finish made fans feel they were part of something special.
“It felt like watching a World Cup final,” said Armando Lopes, a diplomat. “Who would have ever imagined that Cape Verde would push Argentina to extra time in a World Cup match?”
Before the game, Cape Verde coach Bubista said, “We are calm because we earned our place here on merit. There is nothing to fear or worry 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.”
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