Cape Verde stars wildly celebrate sealing historic World Cup knockout spot as hero goalkeeper Vozinha prepares to face Messi next

The smallest country to qualify for the World Cup is now celebrating progress to the knockout stages.

Cape Verde, an African island nation with a population of less than 600,000, drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia and finished second in the tightly contested Group H.

After the result, the players gathered around their smartphones to watch the results of the other match of the group, the Spain-Uruguay match.

After the match ended and Uruguay lost 1-0, the fans in the stands jumped with joy and the players celebrated on the field.

Meanwhile, videos of crazy fans dancing in our own hometown have gone viral, while being applauded by the entire country.

Their manager Bubista was lifted into the sky by his team as the players ran into a section of fans at Houston Stadium to share the victory.

Players celebrated with fans in the stands in Houston after the big success

Back home, fans in Mindelo lit torches and danced in the streets after the success

Cape Verde’s next match will be played against Lionel Messi and Argentina in Miami.

Goalkeeper Vozinha, who has become a cult hero at this World Cup, joined the celebrations as his mother, who was sent to the US because she could not afford a visa, spread joy and pride in a suite.

While progress is a serious achievement worthy of backlash, the Blue Sharks face an incredibly difficult road in the knockouts.

Their next match will be against reigning World Cup champions Lionel Messi and Argentina.

Adding insult to injury, the match is being held in Miami, home of Messi’s club Inter Miami, and the stadium where Argentina won the Copa America in 2024.

Cape Verde has a week to prepare for the biggest game in the country’s history, starting at 6pm on July 3.