Cape Verde coach vows 'nothing is impossible' as World Cup debutants face Argentina and Messi

Cape Verde completed a remarkable group-stage run at their World Cup debut, drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia to finish second in Group H and set up a round-of-32 meeting with reigning champions Argentina and Lionel Messi in Miami next Friday.

The result was enough to edge out Uruguay on goal difference after Spain defeated the South Americans in the group’s other fixture. The Blue Sharks are unbeaten across three matches — all draws — having navigated a group that also contained Spain, a feat few anticipated from a side ranked 67th in the FIFA world rankings.

Head coach Bubista was defiant when asked about the prospect of facing Argentina. “To us, nothing is impossible,” he said at his post-match press conference. “Ourselves and the people of Cape Verde have to be proud of what the team has done. First of all, we are proud to be able to play Argentina.”

Bubista framed the achievement in terms that stretched well beyond football. “From the very beginning, we’ve said that one of the purposes we had was to show our country to the rest of the world. To be able to play Argentina and Messi in a phase like this is excellent for our country, regardless of the match itself.”

The island nation in the Atlantic, with a population of just over 500,000, witnessed jubilant scenes as news filtered through that Uruguay’s defeat confirmed their progression. It is a moment of national significance for a country making its first appearance on the sport’s biggest stage.

Argentina, the defending champions, arrive in Miami as heavy favourites. But Cape Verde’s composure across the group phase — conceding no goals in their final two matches — suggests Bubista’s side will not simply make up the numbers when the sides meet.