

The coach who led Cape Verde to their first World Cup now heads to Moroccan side RS Berkane.

Forward Sandra Martins says the debutants can surprise at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

Rotterdam is home to 25,000 Cape Verdeans and 1,600 of them gathered in a beer garden to watch an unforgettable game against ArgentinaRotterdam knows how to script a football fairytale. Six players from the Cape Verde side who have lit up the World Cup were born here, nearly 5,000km from their parents’ islands. Five of them played against Argentina, the defending champions, in a bittersweet 3-2 defeat.After last Saturday’sdraw with Saudi Arabia took Cape Verde into the last 32, the streets of Rotterdam were full of honking cars, flags streaming from the windows and people dancing. This is the city the locals call the 10th island of Cape Verde. The diasporas from Curaçao and Morocco have also set their own corners of Rotterdam alight during this tournament. Continue reading...

The African minnows capped off an impressive run with a heroic performance in a 3-2 loss to the defending championsIt was a sight we’d seen hundreds of times before, six times previously in this World Cup alone. Lionel Messi celebrating a goal, sprinting away with his arms outstretched in celebration. Against Cape Verde on Friday, Messi used a breathtaking first touch and deft, close-range finish to score Argentina’s opening goal and take the lead, one few in attendance thought they would relinquish.Cape Verde’s goalkeeper, Vozinha, was left crumpled on one knee, his World Cup dream slipping away. The 40-year-old had become a sensation after playing brilliantly to shut out the European champions, Spain, in Cape Verde’s tournament opener. Vozinha, who plays his football in the Portuguese second division, made $53,000 last year. Messi made more than that for every five minutes he was on the field with Inter Miami last year. Continue reading...

⚽ All the latest news and reaction from the World Cup⚽ Player guide | Bracketology | Knockout draw | Mail usAustralia lost to Egypt on penalties in one of the more disastrous shootout cock ups. Changing goalkeepers is a bold move, especially when Mat Ryan made a right Shilton of himself.Jonathan Wilson was there. Continue reading...
The Guardian · 19 Aug 2026