Cheers, rhythmic drumming, and loud car horns filled the air in Praia on Saturday morning. Although Cape Verde lost 3-2 to Argentina in a tightly contested 2026 World Cup round of 32 match in Miami, local fans viewed the performance as a triumphant display. For an island nation with a population of just over 500,000, reaching the knockout stage in their debut appearance was already a historic milestone.
Cape Verde made headlines by advancing from a challenging group that included Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. The match against the reigning world champions remained competitive until the final minutes. While Deroy Duarte brought the game to extra time with a crucial goal, a late own goal by Diney Borges in the 111th minute ultimately allowed Argentina to advance.
Supporters in Praia kept the festivities going well into the early morning hours, celebrating the grit shown by the Blue Sharks. Fans expressed immense pride, noting that their team forced the superstars of Argentina to work hard for the win. Coach Bubista had previously emphasized that his squad earned their spot on merit and played without fear, a sentiment that resonated with fans who felt the team exited the tournament with dignity.
