What’s this all about? Cape Verde in the World Cup knockout stage! In a match where they were the better team, the “Blue Sharks” were never truly threatened by Giorgos Donis’s Saudi Arabia team; they missed clear-cut chances for their first-ever World Cup victory, but even the 0-0 draw was a relief, as it secured their spot in the World Cup Round of 32, where they’ll face the World Champions, Argentina!

There were thrilling moments as the Cape Verde players waited for the result from Uruguay-Spain, which was still in progress, and celebrating their historic qualification like little kids after the final whistle in Guadalajara!

Highlights

The starting lineups:
Green Cape: Vozinha – V. Pina (90+4′ Moreira), Lopes, Borges, João Paulo – K. Pina – Mentes (71′ Rodrigues), D. Duarte, Monteiro (71′ L. Duarte), Semedo (61′ Varela) – Livramento (61′ Da Costa)

Saudi Arabia: Al-Owaish – Abdulhamid, Al-Amri, Tabakti (33′ Lazami), Boussal (82′ Al-Harbi) – Mandas (65′ Al-Hamdan), N. Al-Dawsari, Al-Kaibari (46′ Al-Juwair), S. Al-Dawsari (65′ Al-Salem) – Kano, Al-Buraikan

Final standings for Group 8

*photo source: AP