Cape Verde reaches World Cup knockouts and will face Argentina
A 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia sent World Cup debutant Cape Verde through from Group H, setting up a July 3 meeting with Argentina in Miami.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
3 min read
Cape Verde advanced to the World Cup knockout stage in its first appearance at the tournament after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia in Houston on Friday, AFP reported. The result, combined with Spain’s 1-0 win over Uruguay, sent Cape Verde through as Group H runner-up and lined up a match with defending champion Argentina.
The team, ranked 67th before the tournament, finished unbeaten in the group. Cape Verde will play Lionel Messi’s Argentina in Miami on July 3, according to AFP.
Spain topped Group H with seven points after beating Uruguay in Guadalajara. Cape Verde ended on three points, while Uruguay and Saudi Arabia finished with two each and were eliminated. Spain will next face the second-place team from Group J, either Algeria or Austria, AFP reported.
Debutants survive tense final day
Cape Verde entered the final round of group matches with a chance to qualify after drawing its first two games. It opened with a 0-0 draw against European champion Spain, then drew 2-2 with two-time former World Cup winner Uruguay.
Against Saudi Arabia, coach Bubista changed half of his starting lineup, with some changes forced, AFP reported. He kept 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who had played a central role in the draw against Spain.
The match in Houston offered few clear chances before halftime. Cape Verde had slightly more of the play, while Saudi Arabia, which had drawn 1-1 with Uruguay before losing 4-0 to Spain, struggled to create sustained pressure.
Saudi Arabia lost experienced defender Hassan al-Tambakti in the 33rd minute when he was taken off on a stretcher. In Mexico, Spain went ahead against Uruguay late in the first half, a development that AFP said drew cheers from Cape Verde supporters in Houston.
Saudi Arabia falls short
Willy Semedo put an effort narrowly wide for Cape Verde before the interval, but neither side took control of the match. At halftime, the results as they stood had Cape Verde advancing and Uruguay going out.
Cape Verde had one of the game’s better chances three minutes after the restart, when Jamiro Monteiro shot weakly from close range. Kevin Pina later sent a long-range attempt just off target.
Saudi Arabia needed more than a draw to stay alive, but AFP reported that the team lacked creativity in the final stages. Cape Verde, despite needing only a point, continued to threaten as the match tightened.
In the 75th minute, Saudi goalkeeper Mohammed al-Owais made a key save from Laros Duarte to keep the match scoreless. Cape Verde held firm through the closing minutes to secure the point it needed and extend its World Cup run beyond the group stage.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.