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Cape Verde smallest nation to make WC knockouts
Key takeaways
- The tournament debutants pulled off one of the World Cup's biggest surprises by playing pre-tournament favorites Spain to a scoreless draw in its opener.
- - Uruguay out of World Cup after GK blunder against Spain
- With Friday's draw they finish undefeated on three points and take second place in Group H, behind 2010 winners Spain and a point ahead of two-time World Cup champions Uruguay.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
The island nation off the western coast of Africa became the smallest nation by population to ever make the knockout stage of a men's World Cup after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia in their group-stage finale on Friday.
The tournament debutants pulled off one of the World Cup's biggest surprises by playing pre-tournament favorites Spain to a scoreless draw in its opener. They followed that up by scoring its first goals of the World Cup in a 2-2 tie against Uruguay.
- Uruguay out of World Cup after GK blunder against Spain
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France 24
World Cup 2026: Spain seal Group H as Cape Verde’s dream run reaches World Cup knockouts
France 24
World Cup 2026: Spain seal Group H as Cape Verde’s dream run reaches World Cup knockouts
BBC News
How Cape Verde stunned World Cup to set up Argentina tie
NPR News
It's not just Cape Verde: African soccer is having a World Cup moment
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