Cape Verde continue fairytale World Cup debut after Saudi Arabia draw books last-32 spot

For a few days at least, the Blue Sharks can scent Argentinian blood. What a scene they presented at the end after drawing for a third time and improbably, magnificently, qualifying from Group H as runners-up. Their players and head coach, Bubista, huddled round a mobile phone to watch the closing stages of Uruguay’s defeat to Spain. They erupted en masse upon learning the outcome and can look ahead to a last-32 meeting with Lionel Messi and company in Miami. Messi’s meeting with this World Cup’s new cult hero, the goalkeeper Vozinha, could be one for the ages.

It would have been a travesty if Saudi Arabia, who made minimal impact despite requiring a win to progress, had snuck home here. What an insipid display this was from Giorgios Donis’s side, the gargantuan investment in their local league clearly yet to reap benefits at international level. The only surprise was that they were not picked off by one of Cape Verde’s numerous second-half counters. Anyone watching this tournament is pumped with advertisements for Fifa’s worldwide partner Aramco, the majority Saudi state-owned oil company, but their national team appear to need powering by alternative energy.

Continue reading...