Cape Verde makes World Cup history in Houston
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Josimar Dias (Vozinha) of Cape Verde celebrates. Photo: Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Houston's World Cup group stage matches ended with a memorable underdog story: Cape Verde advanced to the knockout rounds after a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia Friday night.
Why it matters: The tiny island nation off Africa's west coast became the smallest country ever to reach the World Cup knockout rounds — and Houston got to be the stage for that history.
The vibe: Cape Verde needed everything to fall into place, including Spain beating Uruguay in a simultaneous match. After the final whistle, players huddled around a phone to check the Spain-Uruguay result before erupting in jubilation as they clinched a top-two finish in their group stage.
- Fans — some newly converted Cape Verde supporters during the tournament, they tell Axios — cheered, celebrating the team's historic breakthrough.
The intrigue: For weeks before the World Cup, Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia was one of the tournament's cheapest tickets.
- By matchday, demand had surged after Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, went viral for his standout performance against Spain.
What they're saying: "We represent our island, but we also represent Africa," the team's coach Bubista said at a press conference. "This shows that even the smallest countries can prove that nothing is impossible."
- The coach added that they are proud to play Argentina next.
What's next: The city now turns to hosting knockout rounds, beginning Monday with Brazil vs. Japan.