Cabo Verde pushes Argentina to extra time before round-of-32 exit
The Cape Verde national team held reigning champions Argentina to a closely contested round-of-32 match, ultimately losing in extra time but earning praise from both sides.
Cape Verde’s "Blue Sharks" faced Argentina in the World Cup round of 32, extending the match to extra time before being eliminated. The island nation, the second smallest ever to qualify for the tournament, drew on players from its diaspora and entered the game after a draw with Spain.
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said, "We knew they were going to be a tough opponent, and we struggled so much. Actually, we deserved the win, but that doesn't mean the opponent made things easy for us. We will focus on the positive aspects, the fact that we never gave in, and neither did the opponents."
Team captain Lionel Messi added, "We knew this would be a very tough match. In the World Cup, no one gives you anything for free. Now it's about resting, learning from today, and focusing on the next game. Also, congratulations to Cabo Verde for that performance."
Cape Verde coach Rui "Bubista" Monteiro praised his side, stating, "It shows the character of our team and the skill we displayed throughout most of the match. We did our best with bravery and stayed true to our identity."
Goalkeeper Fernando "Vozinha" Alvim, who gained a large social-media following after the Spain draw, was noted for his saves, while defender Sidny Lopes Cabral scored a long-range goal. The team’s progress is expected to aid future recruitment of dual-national players as they look toward the Africa Cup of Nations and qualification for the 2030 World Cup.
Separately, captain Ryan Mendes remains under investigation for alleged misconduct in New Zealand, a matter the coach said he will not comment on beyond its impact on the squad.
