Cape Verde Make History With Third Draw to Reach World Cup Knockouts on Debut

Cape Verde became the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup knockout stage after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia secured second place in Group H on Saturday. 

The Blue Sharks, ranked 67th in the world and playing in their first ever World Cup, finished on three points to set up a round of 32 clash with defending champions Argentina in Miami on July 3. They are the first team to qualify with three draws since Chile in 1998 and the first African debutants to advance from the group stage since Ghana in 2006.

The island nation of just over 500,000 people had already held 2010 winners Spain to a goalless draw before coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Uruguay, and they backed up those results with another composed performance against Saudi Arabia.

Cape Verde were the more likely to score throughout. Willy Semedo had a shot well saved at the near post before smashing another effort wide. Kevin Pina's strike from outside the box just after the break clipped the top of the crossbar, and Laros Duarte was denied by goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais when clean through on goal with 15 minutes remaining.

At the other end, 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha was equal to everything Saudi Arabia threw at him. He grabbed a Mohamed Kanno header in first-half stoppage time, deflected a Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat effort in the 66th minute and stopped Abdullah Al-Hamdan's shot in the 92nd minute to keep his side level. Vozinha's performances at this tournament have earned him over 16 million Instagram followers.

Saudi Arabia defender Hassan Al-Tambakti was stretchered off with half an hour played after going down with no other players around him, adding to a difficult evening for the 2034 hosts, who finish bottom of Group H.

The Cape Verde players gathered around a phone at full time to watch the conclusion of Spain's game against Uruguay. When Spain's victory was confirmed, sending Cape Verde through in second place, there were joyous scenes on the pitch and in the stands, with many fans in tears as the result sank in.

Coach Bubista had said on the eve of the match that everyone is entitled to dream and that nothing is impossible. His players have made that dream a reality, and Argentina now await.