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Rovers fans 'immensely proud' of Cape Verde hero Lopes
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Rovers fans 'immensely proud' of Cape Verde hero Lopes

BBC Sport · Jun 16, 2026, 10:10 AM · Also reported by 4 other sources

Key takeaways

  • Getty Image caption, Roberto Lopes produced a towering performance as Cape Verde held mighty Spain to a draw.
  • After playing a starring role in one of the biggest upsets in recent World Cup history, the 33-year-old said "to get a point and a clean sheet in our first game in a World Cup against a team like Spain was amazing".
  • "It's a moment that we should be proud of and enjoy.

Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.

Getty Image caption, Roberto Lopes produced a towering performance as Cape Verde held mighty Spain to a draw. The central part played by a League of Ireland defender in Cape Verde's stunning draw against one of the World Cup favourites on Monday led to the result being celebrated almost as much in Dublin as by the less than half a million inhabitants of the archipelagic country in the central Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa.

Shamrock Rovers player Roberto 'Pico' Lopes produced a commanding display in central defence as the World Cup debutants secured a deserved 0-0 draw with Spain, one of the pre-tournament favourites, in their Group H opener in Atlanta.

After playing a starring role in one of the biggest upsets in recent World Cup history, the 33-year-old said "to get a point and a clean sheet in our first game in a World Cup against a team like Spain was amazing".

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