Cabo Verde seeks to extend World Cup fairytale

Cabo Verde arrived at its first World Cup as a curiosity and now stands one match away from the knockout stage.

The African island nation held European champion Spain to a goalless draw in its opening Group H encounter before recovering from a goal down to draw 2-2 with two-time champion Uruguay.

Agustin Canobbio (L) of Uruguay vies with Diney Borges of Cape Verde during the group H match between Uruguay and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Miami Stadium, Miami, the United States, June 21, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Zijian)

Its final group fixture against Saudi Arabia on Friday will determine whether one of the tournament's most unlikely stories has further to run.

"This is something we owe to other smaller national teams, teams that struggled to qualify for a world tournament," Cabo Verde head coach Pedro Leitao Brito, known as Bubista, said after the Uruguay clash.

Cabo Verde's first point was built on defensive resilience. Spain dominated possession and created the clearer chances, but 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha produced seven saves and was named player of the match.

He denied Ferran Torres, Pedri and Aymeric Laporte during Spain's strongest spell before halftime, while Torres also struck the bar.

The performance turned Vozinha into one of the faces of the tournament and put Cabo Verde in the global spotlight.

Against Uruguay, however, Cabo Verde showed it had not come only to defend.

Kevin Pina scored the country's first World Cup goal with a free kick, and substitute Helio Varela equalized after spotting goalkeeper Fernando Muslera off his line following a defensive mistake.

The result showed Cabo Verde had more to its game than disciplined defending. Bubista's side also proved capable of threatening in attack, troubling Uruguay with its pace and direct play.

Varela's goal was his first for the national team and came on his World Cup debut.

"I had dreamed of this, but I never imagined it would happen this way. I have no words," the 24-year-old said.

Cabo Verde has two points, level with Uruguay, and faces a Saudi Arabia team that also frustrated Uruguay in a 1-1 draw before losing 4-0 to Spain.

The group remains open, with Spain facing Uruguay in the other match. For Cabo Verde, victory against Saudi Arabia would likely extend its first World Cup into the knockout rounds. A draw could also be enough, depending on other results.

The story has resonated far beyond the tournament venues in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Vozinha's mother, Ana Candida Evora, missed the Spain match because of visa problems but completed a 24-hour journey to watch him face Uruguay in Miami.

After the final whistle, Cabo Verde's players ran toward their fans, who sang and danced as if they had won.

Now the challenge is to go one step further and create another piece of history.

"You show up, you believe, and we work very hard as a team," defender Stopira said. "So now it's on to the next game, and to try to reach the next one."