Cape Verde show anything is possible at World Cup with 'big hearts'

Cape Verde are an example for other small nations to follow, said defender Pico Lopes, after the islanders came close to pulling off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history against Argentina on Friday.

Defending champions Argentina needed a Diney Borges own goal in the 111th minute to win a thrilling last-32 tie after strength-sapping extra-time in Miami.

A tiny archipelago of just over 500,000 people off the west coast of Africa, Cape Verde held Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws on their first ever appearance at the World Cup.

"What we achieved, we wanted to show what was possible for small nations. With big hearts, that you can believe, and dream anything is possible," Irish-born Lopes told reporters.

"I hope this team here now has inspired some young Cape Verdeans to be here next. We show what's possible. We show what you can do when you get to this stage and meet some of the best teams in the world."

Goalkeeper Vozinha became one of the stars of the World Cup after his man-of-the-match performance against Spain in the Blue Sharks' opening game.

The 40-year-old's social media followers exploded from around 50,000 to over 19 million during the tournament.

"The World Cup means a lot to us, because it is something we have wanted for a long time. We qualified and realised the dream, not just for me or the national team, but for the entire people of Cape Verde," said Vozinha, who is currently without a club.

"We are very proud of everything we have achieved. Obviously, we are disappointed with the result because we wanted to advance to the next round.

"We knew we were facing a very tough opponent -- the world champions -- but I want to acknowledge the entire federation and the whole team," he added.

"My teammates were fantastic, they were incredible. We went out with our heads held high."

Argentina had cruised through the group stages and another Messi-inspired victory seemed on the cards when he opened the scoring in style with his 20th goal in World Cups.

But Cape Verde refused to lie down, twice hauling themselves back onto level pegging.

Deroy Duarte's strike on the hour mark forced the game into extra-time.

Even when Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina's lead, a stunning strike from Sidny Lopes Cabral's had them dreaming again before Borges turned into his own net under pressure from Cristian Romero.

Lopes has also become a hero back in Ireland, where he plays for Shamrock Rovers.

Son of an Irish mother and Cape Verdean father, the 34-year-old was recruited to play for the Blue Sharks via networking site LinkedIn.

And he said they had put Cape Verde on the map over the past few weeks.

"When we qualified for the World Cup, we wanted to go and show that we belong here. I think our performances over the group stage and tonight, we showed that we can compete with some of the best teams in the world," he added.

"One of the pleasing things that has come out of this World Cup is that nobody has to ask what Cape Verde is.

"They know where we are on the map. They know what we're like as a team. I think all Cape Verdeans around the world who are inspired to be footballers, we've shown the way today."

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© Agence France-Presse