Cape Verde coach Bubista said his team “showed the world our identity” after the island nation’s historic FIFA World Cup campaign ended with a thrilling 3-2 extra-time defeat to defending champions Argentina in the round of 32 on July 3.

argentina vs cabo verde, FIFA World Cup 2026: highlight

Playing in their first World Cup and ranked 67th in the world, Cape Verde emerged as one of the biggest success stories of the tournament. They defeated former champions Spain and Uruguay in the group stage and then defeated Argentina for the full 120 minutes in a match that was not expected to be this close.

Despite the sadness of elimination, Bubista said that pride outweighed disappointment.

“The feeling in the dressing room is one of sadness,” Bubista told reporters.

“Of course, we are sad, because we are leaving the competition and because we have come so close, so close.

“Even if they were sad, the players were hugging each other, crying. That’s part of growing. It helps us grow, and also shows that the team has a spirit.”

the former defender said equaling the longest reigning world champion It was a testament to the confidence and character of his team.

“I’m proud of our players and what they did. They did it with honor and courage,” he said.

“I think Argentina showed why they are world champions. I think I could say our team showed how willing they were to play this match.

“I don’t think any other team could have scored two goals against Argentina and taken the match to extra time. I think it shows the character of our team and how skilled our team is. They did it bravely and we never lost our identity.”

For Bubista, the campaign was about much more than results. It was an opportunity for Cape Verde, a country of over half a million people, to introduce itself to the world of football.

“More than just playing, it was about showing our identity to the world,” he said.

“We had a team that wanted to play throughout the tournament, as long as we were here, and play against the best teams in the world.

“We played fairly and we were on par with our opponents.

“I think everyone should thank the players for their tournament, because they showed what our little country is all about.”

Cape Verde left the tournament without making the quarterfinals but with a place in history. His fearless performance and extraordinary performance against Argentina ensured that the World Cup debutant received respect far beyond the result.

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