World Cup debutants Cape Verde will face defending champions Argentina in the knockout rounds after drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia on Friday to extend their fairytale journey.
The draw in Houston, along with Spain’s 1-0 victory over Uruguay, resulted in the 67th-ranked squad finishing second in Group H behind Spain.
Having drawn all three group matches, the archipelago nation of little over 500,000 will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina on July 3 in Miami, adding another chapter to their incredible journey.
Cape Verde’s players, the third-smallest team in World Cup history by population, were in tears afterward, as did several of their fans.
The players waited an excruciating minute or two for news of Spain’s victory to arrive on a mobile phone, after which they erupted in ecstasy.
“I’m living in a dream, to be honest,” midfielder Deroy Duarte told reporters.
Cape Verde’s capital, Praia, echoed with euphoric emotions as fans stayed up late to watch the big event.
“We had this in our minds and heads that we could get to this stage,” said Cape Verde’s coach Bubista, who goes by one name and came to the press conference wrapped in his country’s flag.
“We felt the team was very eager to show this to the whole world.
“We are proud to get to this stage and again have shown the world that we are a small country, but we fight for what we want.
“To us, nothing is impossible.”
Spain, who was held 0-0 by Cape Verde in the opening round of games, concluded with seven points, three from the debutants and two from Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
Spain will face either Algeria or Austria, the second-placed team in Group J.
With history coming, Bubista changed half of his starting lineup, some of it forced, but kept his hero goalie, Vozinha.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper single-handedly kept Cape Verde in the game, securing a memorable point against European champions Spain in their World Cup debut.
Cape Verde, located off the west coast of Africa, then managed a gutsy 2-2 draw with two-time former winners Uruguay.
That offered them a shaky chance of reaching the final 32 against Saudi Arabia, who were still alive.
Simultaneously, in Guadalajara, Spain and Uruguay faced off in an unusually close race.
Cape Verde got marginally the better of the first half in Houston against a Saudi team who drew 1-1 with Uruguay before losing 4-0 to Spain.
The Saudis received a setback in the 33rd minute when experienced defender Hassan al-Tambakti was stretchered off hurt.
Spain took the lead near the conclusion of the first half in Mexico, prompting applause from Cape Verde fans in Houston.
Willy Semedo blasted just wide of the Saudi goal, but neither team posed a real danger in a tight opening half.
At that point, Cape Verde was passing through at Uruguay’s expense.
Three minutes after the break, Jamiro Monteiro had a big chance from close range, but his finish was poor, and Kevin Pina had a long-range effort that whistled just off goal.
As they neared the last quarter, the tension rose, but Saudi Arabia, despite being in the game, lacked creativity.
In the 75th minute, goalkeeper Mohammed al-Owais made a crucial save on Laros Duarte.
Cape Verde needed only a point, but they were more likely to score as the game entered its final minutes.
