HOUSTON, June 27 — Debutants Cape Verde prolonged their World Cup fairytale yesterday as they secured a place in the World Cup round of 32 following a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia to set up an unexpected clash with defending champions Argentina in Miami.
Spain’s 1-0 victory over Uruguay earned them top spot in the pool with seven points, while three draws were enough for Cape Verde to earn second place. Uruguay and the Saudis were both eliminated with two points.
After the final whistle, Cape Verde’s players and staff huddled over their phones and broke out in celebration when the other match in the group ended, generating a roar from their supporters who banged on drums having cheered their team on all night.
Many players lingered on the pitch after most of the supporters had exited Houston stadium as they took pictures, draped themselves in flags and absorbed the historic moment for the nation of some 500,000 people.
The game itself was low on quality as Cape Verde looked the more likely to score throughout but lacked composure in the final third, spurning a clutch of clear-cut chances including a Laros Duarte miss when one-on-one with goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais.
Both sides started brightly knowing a potential ticket to the round of 32 was on the line but neither found much success during an opening period marred by poor passes and mistimed tackles.
An early chance fell to Willy Semedo after he cut in from the left flank and fired off a shot from a tight angle as the Africans gradually stepped up the pressure and grabbed hold of the game following a cagey opening.
Saudi Arabia produced their first attempt on target in first-half stoppage time when Mohamed Kanno directed a header straight at Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, whose mother was watching in the stands having arrived late to the tournament due to the cost of an American visa.
Cape Verde started the second half looking like the only team hunting for a goal but despite producing 15 attempts could not convert a number of clear chances as Saudi Arabia struggled to mount an attack.
Saudi Arabia exited the tournament meekly having scored a single goal in their three games and never looked like adding to their tally in Houston in a display that lacked ambition for the most part.
