Cape Verde make World Cup history with knockout qualification on debut

Cape Verde made history as they finished runners-up in Group H to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup with a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia according to BBC Sport. 

The Blue Sharks finished in second place on three points in their debut tournament, a point above two-time winners Uruguay and 2034 hosts Saudi Arabia.

Bubista’s side will face defending champions Argentina in the last 32 at Miami Stadium on Friday, 3 July.

Cape Verde looked most likely to score, with Willy Semedo’s shot well-saved at the near post, before he smashed another effort wide.

Saudi Arabia defender Hassan Al Tambakti fell to the floor with no other players around him and had to be taken off on a stretcher with half an hour played.

Shortly after the break, Kevin Pina’s shot from outside the box narrowly missed the top corner as Cape Verde looked to open the scoring.

With 15 minutes remaining, Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais kept his side’s hopes alive when he thwarted a shot from Laros Duarte who was running clear through on goal.

But in the end Cape Verde advanced to set up a monumental match with Argentina in just under a week, as they became the third African nation to remain unbeaten in the group stages on their tournament debut.