Cape Verde produced one of the biggest stories of the FIFA World Cup 2026, securing a historic place in the knockout stage after a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia. The result was enough for the tournament newcomers to finish second in their group with three points, remarkably qualifying ahead of both Uruguay and the future FIFA World Cup 2034 hosts.

The achievement is historic for the Blue Sharks, who became only the third African nation to progress beyond the group stage in their first-ever World Cup appearance without suffering a single defeat.

Cape Verde looked the more dangerous side throughout the contest and created the better chances to claim all three points. In the first half, Willy Semedo came close on two occasions, first forcing an effort towards the near post before later firing narrowly wide.

Saudi Arabia struggled to find any attacking rhythm, and their problems were compounded midway through the opening period when defender Hassan Al-Tambakti was forced off on a stretcher after sustaining a serious injury.

Shortly after the restart, Kevin Pina nearly broke the deadlock with a powerful long-range strike, while in the closing stages goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais preserved the stalemate with an excellent one-on-one save to deny Laros Duarte.

The final whistle sparked wild celebrations among the Cape Verde players and supporters. The point secured one of the greatest achievements in the nation's football history and booked a dream Round of 32 showdown with reigning world champions Argentina.

World Cup 2026

Cape Verde - Saudi Arabia 0:0

Cape Verde: Vozinha; Diney Borges; Lopes Ro.; Pina W. (Moreira St., 90); Pina K.; Monteiro Ja. (Duarte L., 71); Duarte D.; Semedo W. (Varela H., 61); Livramento (Da Costa, 61); Mendes R. (Rodrigues G., 71)
Substitution: Varela H. (from 61); Da Costa (from 61); Duarte L. (from 71); Rodrigues G. (from 71); Moreira St. (from 90)
Bench: Rosa M.; Dos Santos; Stopira; Costa Lo.; Pires; Semedo Y.; Cabral J.; Benchimol
Yellow Cards: Pina W. 9

Saudi Arabia: Al-Owais; Al-Amri; Tambakti (Lajami, 33); Al-Dawsari N.; Abdulhamid; Al-Boushal (Al-Harbi, 82); Al-Dawsari (Abu Al-Shamat, 66); Al-Khaibari (Al-Juwayr, 46); Kanno; Madash (Al Hamdan, 66); Al-Buraikan
Substitution: Lajami (from 33); Al-Juwayr (from 46); Abu Al-Shamat (from 66); Al Hamdan (from 66); Al-Harbi (from 82)
Bench: Al-Aqidi; Al-Kassar; Majrashi; Kadesh; Thakri; Al-Johani; Al-Hejji; Yahya; Al-Ghannam; Al-Shehri
Yellow Cards: Abdulhamid 4; Al-Dawsari N. 67; Al-Buraikan 90