00:00A point was all Cape Verde needed.
00:0390 minutes separated the World Cup debutantes from one of the greatest stories this tournament has seen.
00:10Facing Saudi Arabia in Houston, the tiny island nation of just over half a million people
00:16knew that a draw could send them into the knockout rounds,
00:19but they also needed help from Spain against Uruguay.
00:23As tension gripped both stadiums, Cape Verde stood just one result away from history.
00:32Cape Verde entered the final group match unbeaten.
00:35After a stunning, goalless draw against Spain and an impressive 2-2 result against Uruguay,
00:42the tournament debutantes suddenly found themselves with a real chance of reaching the round of 32.
00:49Saudi Arabia also had hope.
00:51After drawing with Uruguay, but suffering a heavy defeat against Spain,
00:56the Saudis needed victory to stay alive.
00:58Both teams played cautiously, unwilling to make the mistake that could end their World Cup dreams.
01:08Saudi Arabia suffered a major setback in the 33rd minute.
01:12Experienced defender Hasan Al Tambakti went down injured and had to be stretchered off the field.
01:21Then came the moment that changed everything.
01:24News filtered through from Guadalajara that Spain had taken the lead against Uruguay.
01:29At that moment, Cape Verde were moving into the knockout rounds,
01:33but there was still an entire second half to survive.
01:40Willi Semedo nearly produced a magical moment before halftime, firing narrowly wide of the Saudi goal.
01:47Cape Verde looked the more dangerous side.
01:50Three minutes after the restart, Jamiro Montero received a golden opportunity from close range.
01:56But his effort lacked power, and Saudi goalkeeper Mohamed Alawais gathered comfortably.
02:03Moments later, Kevin Pina tried his luck from distance.
02:07His powerful strike flew just inches wide.
02:11Cape Verde could sense history.
02:16As the clock ticked into the final quarter, Saudi Arabia desperately needed a breakthrough.
02:22Yet the Saudi attack struggled to find creativity.
02:26Despite needing victory, they rarely tested Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.
02:31The veteran keeper, who had been one of the heroes of Cape Verde's tournament,
02:36once again provided calm and leadership at the back.
02:42The best chance of the second half fell to Cape Verde.
02:46Laros Duarte found space and unleashed a dangerous effort.
02:50But Mohamed Alawais produced a crucial save in the 75th minute to keep Saudi Arabia in the contest.
03:00When the final whistle arrived, nobody immediately knew the outcome.
03:05Then came the news.
03:06Spain had defeated Uruguay.
03:09Cape Verde had done it.
03:13Cape Verde finished second in Group H with three draws from three matches.
03:19Their reward is a blockbuster round of 32 clash against Lionel Messi's Argentina.
03:25And now, the world will be watching.
03:29corusc unnatural spam.
03:36We have gone to true this morning.
03:36Thank you for being out you for watching the run of 32hooniverse.
03:36You're running together as an against confirmed trust.
Comments