Cape Verde wrote the most improbable chapter of the 2026 World Cup so far, securing a place in the round of 32 with a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia in Houston. The result, their third consecutive stalemate after holding European champions Spain and Uruguay, lifted the debutants to second in Group H behind Spain and eliminated both Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. Goalkeeper Vozinha, who kept his second clean sheet of the tournament, declared that the team had proved they “really have quality and can compete” at the highest level, and he spoke openly of his eagerness to face Lionel Messi, whom he called “the best of all time.”

Vozinha’s own story is intertwined with Argentine football history. Born on 3 June 1986, a day after Jorge Valdano scored twice for Argentina against South Korea, his father tried to name him Valdano, only to be refused by Cape Verdean authorities; he was instead named Josimar, after the Brazilian full-back. Now 40, the goalkeeper has become a symbol of a nation of barely half a million people that conceded no goals against Spain and Saudi Arabia and, against the Saudis, produced 15 shots and 19 crosses in a more adventurous display than in earlier matches. African football observers note that the achievement rewrites expectations for the continent’s smaller football nations.

Elsewhere, Belgium finally found their scoring touch to demolish New Zealand 5-1 and top Group G on goal difference from Egypt. Leandro Trossard struck twice, with Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers also on target, prompting coach Rudi Garcia to remark that his senior players had answered critics who suggested their best days were behind them. Egypt drew 1-1 with Iran, who had a stoppage-time winner disallowed for offside and hit the crossbar, leaving the Iranians to wait on the best third-placed rankings. In Group I, France cruised past Norway 4-1 as Ousmane Dembélé recorded the tournament’s third hat-trick, following Messi and Jonathan David, to seal top spot with a perfect nine points; Senegal thrashed Iraq 5-0 to also advance as one of the best third-placed sides.

Cape Verde will now face Argentina in Miami on 3 July, a matchup Vozinha had fantasised about before the tournament, even hoping to swap shirts with Messi. Belgium await a best third-placed opponent, while France and Norway move forward with growing confidence. The round of 32 is taking shape, and the debutants from the Atlantic archipelago have ensured their presence is no mere footnote.