How Cape Verde stunned World Cup to set up Argentina tie

Image source, Reuters Image caption, Cape Verde have reached the World Cup knockout stages on their debut appearance in the tournament By Rob Stevens BBC Sport Africa Published 7 minutes ago Cape Verde have made history by becoming the smallest nation to reach the knockout stage at the World Cup. The prize for a side representing a group of 10 islands in the Atlantic Ocean will be to face defending champions Argentina in the last 32. Players huddled around a mobile phone on the pitch following their goalless draw with Saudi Arabia to watch the final moments of Spain's win over Uruguay - a result that confirmed Cape Verde finished as Group H runners-up. "Tears of pride and joy all around the stands," said BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Rob Law in Houston. "There was a beautiful moment where they were all huddled around waiting on their phones, waiting for the full-time whistle to go. "When it did, tears flowed on the pitch and in the stands as well. What a moment. The moment of the World Cup so far." That followed an incredible goalless draw in their opening game against Spain, where 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha was the hero, and a 2-2 draw with two-time World Cup winners Uruguay. "It's incredible what they are doing, it wasn't just one game against Spain, it is three games at the highest level," said Spain's former World Cup winner Juan Mata on ITV. How has a nation of just 525,000 inhabitants, who qualified ahead of five-time African champions Cameroon, made it this far? Diaspora factor and plan to reach 'big table' To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Figure caption, Cape Verde aims to capitalise on maiden World Cup appearance The main reason behind the Blue Sharks' success has been the decision by Cape Verde's football federation (FCF) to draw on players from the country's diaspora. There are strong links to the former colonial power Portugal, with a series of severe droughts last century prompting heavy emigration from the islands, while a seafaring tradition and involvement in the maritime trade mean there is a sizeable population with Cape Verdean roots in Rotterdam. Fourteen members of their 26-man World Cup squad were born abroad, with six of them hailing from the Dutch port city. One of that number, forward Dailon Livramento, who spent last season playing for Casa Pia in Portugal's Primeira Liga, scored the only goal in their vital qualifying win over Cameroon last September. "The FCF has made significant progress through passion, commitment and a clear technical plan," Josina Freitas Fortes, a member of Cape Verde's parliament, told BBC Sport Africa. "The results we are seeing are largely the product of years of consistent work, strong belief and people who have given their heart to the project." The recruitment of Dublin-born centre-back Roberto Lopes via business networking website LinkedIn in 2019 is a well-told story, while former Manchester United winger Bebe was part of the