- Full Time
- Steven Moreira on for Wagner Pina94'
- 93'Feras Al Brikan
- 82'Moteb Al Harbi on for Nawaf Bu Washl
- Garry Rodrigues on for Ryan Mendes71'
- Laros Duarte on for Jamiro Monteiro71'
- 67'Nasser Al Dawsari
- 66'Abdullah Al Hamddan on for Sultan Mandash
- 66'Mohammed Abu Al Shamat on for Salem Al Dawsari
- Hélio Varela on for Willy Semedo61'
- Nuno da Costa on for Dailon Livramento61'
- 46'Musab Al Juwayr on for Abdullah Al Khaibari
- Half Time
- 33'Ali Lajami on for Hassan Al Tambakti
- Wagner Pina8'
- 4'Saud Abdulhamid
- Kick Off
-
1
Kevin Pina2 - 2Willy Semedo2
- 3João Paulo2
- 1
Saud Abdulhamid4 - 2Deroy Duarte3
- 3Sultan Mandash3
- 1Laros Duarte3
- 2Feras Al Brikan2
- 3Wagner Pina2
- 1Diney Borges56
- 2Kevin Pina53
- 3Nasser Al Dawsari49
- 1Nasser Al Dawsari2
- 2Salem Al Dawsari2
- 3Ryan Mendes2
- 1João Paulo4
- 2Nasser Al Dawsari2
- 3Willy Semedo2
Cape Verde became the smallest country to progress through to the knockout stages of the World Cup after they played out a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia at the NRG Stadium in Houston, which secured second spot in Group H behind winners Spain.
The Blue Sharks, who have a population of 525,00, remarkably went unbeaten in all three Group H matches, which included a goalless draw against pre-tournament 2026 World Cup favourites Spain, who they prevented from evening scoring.
Bubista’s side have become the first nation to qualify with three draws since Chile in 1998, and will now go on to face holders Argentina in the last-16 on Friday 3rd July.
While Cape Verde are still searching for their first win on their tournament debut, reaching the knockout stages is arguably the story of the World Cup so far.
They remain undefeated and could have claimed all three points against Saudi Arabia, going close through Willy Semedo on a couple of occasions, while Jamiro Monteiro, Kevin Pina, and Laros Duarte also had chances to break the deadlock.
In fact, Cape Verde accumulated nearly double the amount of shots (15 to 7) than Saudi Arabia, who finished bottom of the group and exit the tournament without a win.
Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia highlights
Read more:
