05 July,2026 09:13 AM IST | Miami | AFP
Pico Lopes. Pic/AFP
Cape Verde are an example for other small nations to follow, said defender Pico Lopes, after the islanders came close to pulling off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history against Argentina on Friday. Defending champions Argentina needed a Diney Borges own goal in the 111th minute to win a thrilling last-32 tie after extra-time here.
A tiny archipelago of just over 500,000 people off the west coast of Africa, Cape Verde held Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws on their first ever appearance at the World Cup.
"What we achieved, we wanted to show what was possible for small nations. With big hearts, that you can believe, and dream anything is possible," Irish-born Lopes told reporters.
"I hope this team here now has inspired some young Cape Verdeans to be here next. We show what's possible. We show what you can do when you get to this stage and meet some of the best teams in the world," he said.
And he said they had put Cape Verde on the map over the past few weeks. "We wanted to go and show that we belong here. Our performances over the group stage and tonight, we showed that we can compete with some of the best teams," he said.
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