A nation of just over 500,000 people is heading to the knockout round of a World Cup.
Cape Verde became the first side since Chile in 1998 to advance from the group stage with three draws, but they did so in stunning fashion.
With Spain beating Uruguay in Guadalajara, Bubista’s side only needed a draw against Saudi Arabia to advance. But they didn’t sit back in the second half and instead displayed the type of soccer that has endeared the African nation to the wider sporting world.
Their reward? Second place in Group H and a date with Lionel Messi and Argentina on July 3rd in Miami.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Friday’s action at the 2026 World Cup.
THE RESULTS
Group I: Norway 1, France 4 | Match report
Group I: Senegal 5, Iraq 0 | Match report
Group H: Cape Verde 0 Saudi Arabia 0 | Match report
Group H: Uruguay 0 Spain 1 | Match report
Group G: New Zealand 1, Belgium 5 | Match report
Group G: Egypt 1, Iran 1 | Match report
THE BIG TAKEAWAYS
Group H-uh?
In the end, Spain topped their group as expected.
Their manager, Luis de la Fuente, made a couple of tweaks to the lineup that thrashed Saudi Arabia this past Sunday. Álex Baena showcased the depth Spain boasts as they reasserted themselves after a lacklustre start that featured a frustrated Lamine Yamal. They were fortunate in some instances, including Baena’s opening goal, which stood as the winner. Before being replaced at halftime, Uruguay’s Fernando Muslera became the first goalkeeper since 1966 to commit three errors leading to goals in a World Cup. Woof. At least Uruguay’s stunning failure opened the door for one of this tournament’s greatest stories.
Ranked 64th in the world and given little chance to advance, Cape Verde did just that. Led by goalkeeper Vozinha and the excellent centre-back pairing of Diney Borges and Roberto Lopes, they were organized.
Kevin Pina, one of the heroes in their match against Uruguay, was again excellent in the midfield. But Bubista has built a collective, based on not one or two players but the whole squad, and that unity was showcased in each match as Cape Verde’s inner belief and Vozinha’s follower count simultaneously grew.
They’re going to face the greatest player of all-time and the defending champions in their next match. But what’s another upset?
Norway punts in Boston
Stale Solbakken wasn’t going to take any chances. With a spot in the round of 32 already secured, Norway’s manager decided to make 10 changes from their last match, including resting starmen Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard.
Perhaps we should’ve expected rotation given the fact Haaland dumped cold water on one of the standout matches of the group stage four days ago.
"Honestly, I couldn't care too much about that," said Haaland. "We managed to get through (to the knockout round), which is incredible. I couldn't care too much about that game (vs. France). They're probably going to win against us. They're probably going to win the whole tournament."
Buildup ahead of the clash for Group I supremacy was subdued further by sad news from France. Head coach Didier Deschamps returned home after the death of his mother, leaving assistant coach Guy Stéphan in charge.
Les Blues, who rested ailing Arsenal defender William Saliba, continued to flex their muscle after a nervy opener against Senegal. A first half hat-trick from Ousmane Dembélé temporarily removed the spotlight from Kylian Mbappé and ignited another Ballon D’or campaign for the trophy’s current holder.
There was a mangled Norway penalty attempt in this one as well, with Jorgen Strand Larsen proving once again the stutter step run up is not for everyone.
But overall, we can’t glean much from this encounter. Norway, comfortable with their round of 32 matchup with Ivory Coast, opted for safety over a showdown.
Sene-goals
The mission was threefold for Sadio Mané and Senegal: Score early. Score often. And don’t concede.
A goal from Sunderland’s Habib Diarra in the fourth minute and an Iraqi red card soon after were exactly what captain Mané would’ve hoped for. But in front of an incredibly boisterous pro-Iraq crowd in Toronto, it was tough sledding for the giants of Africa. Up only 1-0 heading into half, Senegal knew they would be eliminated from the tournament due to their insufficient goal difference as a third-place team with only three points.
Senegal boss Pape Thiaw turned to his star-laden bench for difference-makers. Pape Gueye,
Iliman Ndiaye and Nicolas Jackson provided a new set of problems for a beleaguered Iraqi side wilting with one less compatriot on the pitch compared to their adversaries.
A Gueye brace and a Ndiaye marker capped off a four-goal Senegalese explosion in the second half, indicating Thiaw got it right. In a group with one heavyweight, in France, and an up-and-comer in Norway, third place was always a possibility for the AFCON finalists (or champions, depending on who you ask).
Now, the Lions of Teranga must play the waiting game as they sit just above the cutoff line for third-place teams to advance.
MOMENT OF THE DAY
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"A no-brainer. Both (on) my part and from the physio, health and medical department, and from some of the players themselves. The only consideration was for the Norway fans. They would have wanted to see Erling and Martin play. We did a summary after the Senegal game and five or six players (were) very affected after 80 minutes. The entire defensive line and one or two midfielders."
-Stale Solbakken defends his decision to rotate so heavily in the Group I decider.
STAT OF THE DAY
More trophies could be heading Ousmane Dembélé’s way:
THREE STARS OF THE DAY
1. Ousmane Dembélé (France)
It’s not often Mbappé is a side character during a France match, but that’s what happened as Dembélé dominated the Norwegian defence. The French attack has been the best in the tournament thus far.
2. Pape Gueye (Senegal)
That’s how you respond to a benching. Gueye started against France and Norway but was dropped to the bench against Iraq. The Villarreal midfielder helped Senegal become the first African nation to score five goals in a World Cup match.
3. Álex Baena (Spain)
The Atletico Madrid man may have rendered himself undroppable following two sterling performances after not playing against Cape Verde to start the tournament.
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