Lionel Messi's defending champions needed an own goal from Deeney Borges in the 111th minute to secure victory.
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Cape Verde has set a good example of how a small country can dream big. The small island nation almost pulled off a huge upset against Argentina on Friday at the 2026 World Cup.
Defender Pico Lopes says Cape Verde's path in the world is one that others will follow. Lionel Messi's defending champions needed a 111th-minute own goal from Dinay Borges to secure victory. Argentina advanced to the last 32 with this victory. Cape Verde is a small island nation with a population of just 500,000. The team held Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws in the league stage.
That was also a success in their World Cup debut. "What we have achieved is unique. We have shown that even a small country can dream big," says Lopes, who was born in Ireland. You just have to have a big heart, everything is possible. Seeing us, other young people from Cape Verde will also be inspired to do something in football.'
Goalkeeper Vojinha has proven to be the biggest star of this World Cup. No one will forget his 'Player of the Match' performance against Spain, for a long time. Before the World Cup started, the 40-year-old goalkeeper had 50,000 followers on social media. Now, his number has reached 19 million. The trend continues to grow.
Vojinha, who is not affiliated with any club, says, 'This World Cup has meant a lot to us. We had such a dream a long time ago. When we were selected for the World Cup, that dream was largely fulfilled. Now we have played even better in this World Cup. Whatever happened, we will be proud of all of them.'
Messi was about to score his 20th goal in World Cup history, and Argentina was heading towards another expected victory. But Cape Verde refused to accept defeat. They trailed twice in the game, equalising on both occasions. Cape Verde took the game to extra time thanks to a goal from Deroy Duarte.
Lopes is now a hero in Ireland, where he plays for Samarac Rovers. His mother is from Ireland and his father is from Cape Verde. He says this World Cup has really put his country, Cape Verde, on the world map for the first time. “When we qualified for the World Cup, I wanted to show where our country is,” he says.
