Cape Verde in celebration: Cape Verdeans celebrate in the streets a tie with Spain; see VIDEO
Cape Verdeans celebrate a draw with Spain in the streets of the capital Praia
Cape Verdeans celebrated the Cape Verde team's draw in the match with Spain on Monday (15) as a victory.
Hundreds of residents took to the streets of the cities of Praia, the Cape Verdean capital, and São Vicente, to celebrate the result. Fans waved flags, danced and honked their horns after the final whistle.
Cape Verde and Spain drew 0-0 in the match, which was the debut of both teams in the 2026 World Cup.
The result was considered one of the biggest surprises of the championship so far - Spain was champion in the 2010 World Cup. Cape Verde, a nation of around 600,000 inhabitants, is making its World Cup debut after qualifying for the first time and is in Group H, alongside Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
"We, Cape Verde, ten islands in the middle of the sea, protected by the blue shark, have already made history, so we will continue with humility in our hearts, but with our feet firmly on the ground, defending our nation. One love to everyone, wherever they are. Cape Verde forever."
Residents of Praia, capital of Cape Verde, celebrate the draw against Spain in the World Cup World with flags of her country and one of Brazil, on June 15, 2026.
Danilson Sequeira/ Reuters
In São Vicente, fan Magali Monteiro said she "cried until she couldn't take it anymore" and thanked the team for making the Cape Verdeans proud. power more. I'm proud of you, proud of our people. Keep it up, because this World Cup is ours. Wherever we go, we will always be proud of you," she said, in an interview with the Reuters news agency.
"Guys, now it's time to have confidence. During the qualifiers, we showed a lot of energy, and it is with this same energy that we must enter the field", said fan Deven, in Praia.
The result guaranteed Cape Verde its first point in the World Cup and raised hopes of a place in the knockout stages. The island team's next game will be against Uruguay on June 21, before ending their Group H campaign against Saudi Arabia on June 26.
Source: G1