Cape Verde coach proud of historic World Cup run after pushing Argentina to the limit
Cape Verde coach Bubista said his side had “shown the world our identity” after the island nation’s historic World Cup campaign ended with a spirited 3-2 extra-time defeat by defending champions Argentina in the round of 32 on July 3.
Argentina vs Cabo Verde, FIFA World Cup 2026: Highlights
Cape Verde, playing in their first World Cup and ranked 67th in the world, proved to be one of the biggest successes of the tournament. They held off former champions Spain and Uruguay in the group stage before taking Argentina for the full 120 minutes in a contest that few expected to be so close.
Despite the heartbreak of the elimination, Bubista said the pride outweighed the disappointment.
“The feeling in the dressing room is sadness,” Bubista told reporters.
“Of course we are sad because we are leaving the competition and because we came so close, so close.
“Even when they’re sad, the players hugged each other, they cried. It’s part of growing up. It helps us grow and it also shows that the team has soul.”
The former quarterback said match the reigning world champions for a long time he was a testament to the faith and character of his team.
“I feel proud of my players and what they did. They did it with dignity and courage,” he said.
“I think Argentina showed why they are world champions. I think I can say that our team showed how willing they were to play this game.
“I don’t think any other team could score two goals against Argentina and take the game to extra time. I think it shows the character of our team and how fit our team is. They did it with guts and we never lost our identity.”
For Bubista, the campaign was about more than just results. For Cape Verde, a nation of just over half a million people, it was a chance to introduce itself to the football world.
“More than just playing, it was about showing the world our identity,” he said.
“Ours was a team that wanted to play and wanted to play against the best teams in the world for the whole tournament while we were here.
“We played fair and stayed on the same level with our opponents.
“I think everyone should thank the players for their tournament because they showed what our little country is all about.”
Cape Verde leaves the tournament without advancing to the quarter-finals, but with a place in history. Their fearless performances, capped off by an extraordinary display against Argentina, earned the World Cup debutants respect far beyond the result.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
04 Jul 2026 09:04 IST