Cape Verde unbeaten after Spain and Uruguay draws, knockout round one point away

Spain held, Uruguay held, Cape Verde are alive

Two matches, two draws, and your team are still unbeaten at their first World Cup. Cape Verde opened with Spain 0–0 and followed it with Uruguay 2–2 on Sunday (1) (2) (3). That is a two-time world champion and a European giant, both kept at arm's length. One point from the final group game against Saudi Arabia would send the Blue Sharks through (5) (9).

Coach Brito: 'We are resilient'

Pedro Leitao Brito kept it clear after the Uruguay draw: "Somos resilientes", we are resilient, and "vamos a ser responsables de nuestra clasificación" (4) (8). Translation: we will be responsible for our own qualification. No deflection, no underdog modesty. Cape Verde's fate is in their own hands.

Stopira: 'The world will see Cape Verde make even more history'

Defender Stopira did not hold back either. "O mundo vai ver Cabo Verde a fazer ainda mais história," he said, the world will see Cape Verde make even more history (4). The squad are not here for a photo opportunity.

Bielsa admits Uruguay gave up control

Marcelo Bielsa was direct after the match: "Cedimos el protagonismo", we gave up the protagonism (9) (16). Uruguay midfielder Maxi Araújo put it bluntly too: "Lutámos até ao fim... e acabámos a sofrer", we fought to the end and ended up suffering (8) (12). Cape Verde forced a football nation into that kind of reflection.

Spain thrashed Saudi Arabia 4–0

Spain bounced back Sunday with a 4–0 demolition of Saudi Arabia, with Álex Baena, Dani Olmo, Oyarzábal, Lamine Yamal, Merino and Nico Williams all listed in the report (7) (5) (15). That puts Spain top of Group H. Cape Verde sit on two points, level with Uruguay but ahead on goal difference before the final round (5).

One point is the path

Here is the simple equation: a draw against Saudi Arabia would make Cape Verde the second-placed team in Group H, behind Spain (5) (9). No complicated permutations. The knockout round is right there.

Fan-reaktioner

The full-time whistle against Uruguay set off celebrations from Praia to Atlanta and back again. One Reddit post captured BBC cutting to Cape Verde just as the team scored their first-ever World Cup goal, with absolute scenes breaking out live on air (r/soccer). A Bentancur goal-line tackle in stoppage time had fans holding their breath too, but it only added to the drama, this team has an entire nation believing.