World Cup: Cabo Verde make history with Saudi Arabia draw, Spain win Group H
African nation becomes smallest country ever to earn a place in the knockout stages of a World Cup
Cape Verde wrote another chapter in their fairytale debut World Cup campaign in Houston on Friday, battling into the knockout rounds for the first time to set up a dream showdown with Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
The tiny Atlantic archipelago drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia to clinch second place in Group H and advance to the last 32 where they will face defending champions Argentina at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on July 3.
Cape Verde’s third consecutive draw saw them finish the group with three points, behind European champions Spain who made sure of top spot with a 1-0 defeat of Uruguay.
Two-time World Cup-winners Uruguay, who were stunned by Cape Verde in a 2-2 draw last Sunday in their second game, were eliminated from the competition with just two points.
The Group H results brought further clarity to the knockout rounds, ensuring that England, Portugal, Ghana, Egypt and Paraguay would also advance.
Earlier Friday, France lit up the tournament with another dazzling attacking performance, swatting aside Norway 4-1 to clinch top spot in Group I.