A major upset occurred in the first round of Group H of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Cape Verde drawing 0-0 with favored Spain. According to Xinhua News Agency, Cape Verdean President Neves congratulated the Cape Verdean team on their brilliant debut at the FIFA World Cup through social media: "Hail to the 'Brave Blue Sharks,' we are making history every day!"
The article commented: From the score, it was a goalless match; from the reaction of the Cape Verdeans, it was a match that would go down in the country's football history. "We are small, but our hopes are as vast as the ocean."
Xinhua News Agency reported that after the final whistle, celebratory crowds appeared on the streets of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, with national flags, jerseys, car horns, and cheers, forming a rare FIFA World Cup moment for this island nation, celebrating the Atlantic island nation of just over 500,000 people securing a historic point in the FIFA World Cup.
"The feeling after the match is indescribable," said Rodrigues, Sports Commissioner of the Praia City Government. For a team participating in the FIFA World Cup for the first time, facing Spain, a former FIFA World Cup champion with many excellent players, Cape Verde played a high-level match.
Rodrigues also stated that Cape Verde's performance in the first round was historic, but the team must remain humble and continue to prepare for the remaining two group matches. "Now anything is possible. As long as we maintain this belief, we can go further."
Former Cape Verde international Depina said in an interview: "Spain was widely regarded as a strong team before the match, but there are no predetermined winners in football. In the past, we participated in more games. Now, we are truly competing."
Depina also added: "The Cape Verdean team should not fear any opponent. I am proud of them and very happy. I hope the team continues on this path."
This sense of pride does not only belong to the football world. Artist Sousa said that the Cape Verdean team entered the field with humility, respecting the strong team, but not being intimidated by the opponent. "We came to the FIFA World Cup not just to participate, but to compete. Today, the team proved that."
According to Xinhua News Agency, Sousa is the designer of Cape Verde's FIFA World Cup commemorative stamps. On June 8, Cape Verde Post and the Cape Verde Football Association held a commemorative stamp issuing ceremony in Praia. The stamps are predominantly blue, with designs including players in blue jerseys, a football, the Cape Verde national team emblem, and a shark image symbolizing the team's nickname, "Blue Sharks."
Cape Verdean President Neves watched the match live. After the match, Neves posted on social media that he went to the locker room to salute the "Brave Blue Sharks" and congratulate the team on their brilliant debut at the FIFA World Cup. "We are making history every day!"
As night fell, the celebrations on the streets of Praia had not yet subsided. Fans waved national flags, clapped, and cheered, commemorating this night belonging to Cape Verdean football. Citizen Cabral said: "We are strong, united, and resilient. Drawing with Spain on our first appearance at the FIFA World Cup gives us even more confidence."
In the upcoming schedule, Cape Verde will play against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. For this FIFA World Cup newcomer, the draw against Spain in the first match is not the end, but a new beginning.
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Busdimnpsy
1
Capo Verd U are great, keep it up. Africa is behind U. Atomissasa.
Gadiola
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Congrats cabo
Modknprsuz
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really did great by Cabo Verde 👏👏👏 from INDIA 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳
Bahbdlsuz
2
some day African football shall be the ones to watch across the world. congratulations Blue sharks, Ivory coast, Egypt and Morocco. Still hope for the Leopards, Teranga Lions and Ghana.
judiklmnp
0
judiklmnp
0
judiklmnp
0
over confidant spaines managar in this match
Dikbeilmt
2
A nation of 500,000 people. Cabo Verde should be very rich country .
Oziomachukwu
2
they did wonderfully well
bancknpt
1
Just declare a public holiday mr President