Cape Verde's World Cup success isn't just for them...
Key takeaways
- The celebrations were for Cape Verde, who became the smallest nation to ever qualify for the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds Friday night.
- "I don't think any of us dreamed of this," Vozinha said after Friday's match.
- After their match ended, Cape Verde's players huddled around a phone to make sure Spain saw off their 1-0 win over Uruguay.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
The celebrations were for Cape Verde, who became the smallest nation to ever qualify for the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds Friday night. Their 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia clinched second place in Group H, ahead of Uruguay and Saudi Arabia; what started as a fun story with their 0-0 draw against Spain -- a result that made 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha an overnight sensation -- will continue with an elimination match against Lionel Messi and Argentina.
"I don't think any of us dreamed of this," Vozinha said after Friday's match. "But we know we have a lot of quality. Qualifying for the next round today is extremely rewarding for us. It's a dream for any player to play against Argentina and against Messi."
After their match ended, Cape Verde's players huddled around a phone to make sure Spain saw off their 1-0 win over Uruguay. "I almost wanted to cry," midfielder Deroy Duarte said. "It was so emotional. Everybody was just waiting and praying and hoping that the result was good. It was a very special moment. [Something] I've never felt on the pitch. And I hope we can feel the same feeling in the next game."