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Cape Verde head coach Bubista has said they can be proud of their historic run at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Completesports.com reports.
The Blue Stars bowed out of the competition following a 3-2 defeat to defending champions Argentina in Miami.
Blue Stars Put Up Brave Fight
Argentina took the lead twice in the keenly contested encounter and the West Africans answered both times, but with ten minutes to play in extra time a Lionel Messi corner led to an own goal from Diney Borges that sent La Albiceste into the Round of 16.
Messi opened the scoring shortly after the first hydration break, calmly lifting the ball over the advancing Vozinha after bringing down Lisandro Martinez’s precise pass over the top.
Cape Verde equalised in the 59th minute through Deroy Duarte.
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Vozinha made several key saves, including blocking Messi from point blank range to send the game to extra time.
It took the Albiceleste just two minutes of extra time to retake the lead. Lisandro Martinez collected a loose ball from a corner kick and lashed over Vozinha at the near post.
Cape Verde refused to surrender. Left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral produced one of the goals of the tournament, curling a sensational effort into the top corner from the edge of the box to draw Bubista’s side level for the second time in the contest.
Messi’s corner however caused an own goal that saw Argentina through to the last 16.
Bubista Thumbs Up Players
Bubista said Cape Verde, who were making their maiden World Cup appearance, had dignified themselves with their performances in the competition.
“We dignify what our country is. We drew twice against the world champions, we took it to extra time… More than anything, it’s being proud of our players who were dignified in the World Cup. We showed our identity,” Bubista was quoted by FIFA.com.
By Adeboye Amosu
