It is a result that will send shockwaves through the corridors of power in world football. Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to qualify for the Wor...
It is a result that will send shockwaves through the corridors of power in world football. Cape Verde, the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup, have done it again. They are through to the round of 32, booking a date with the defending champions, Argentina. This is not a footnote. This is a statement.For the neutrals, this is precisely the sort of romantic chaos that makes the tournament irresistible. For the tacticians at GoalZaza, it raises a fascinating question: how do you approach a knockout tie against a giant when you have absolutely nothing to lose Cape Verde's journey has been built on a miserly low block and devastating transitional play. They do not possess the individual talent of an Argentina, but they possess something arguably more potent in a one. off match: belief.The path for Argentina now looks, on paper, a kind bracket. But there is no such thing as an easy route when a side of Cape Verde's spirit comes knocking. The defending champions will have to be wary of underestimating their opponent. Squeaky bum time arrives early for Scaloni's men. For Cape Verde, this is a free hit. A chance to cement their place in folklore.Meanwhile, the rest of the evening's action rolls on. Egypt versus Iran promises to be a combustible affair, a clash of continental heavyweights with plenty to prove. New Zealand take on Belgium in a battle that will test the All Whites' famed resilience against Belgian technical quality. The beauty of this World Cup is that we are already past the group stage formalities. Every match now carries the weight of immediate elimination. The pitch is level, the pressure is immense, and the drama is just getting started.
