Cape Verde fans celebrate historic World Cup draw against Spain

ATLANTA: Cape Verde supporters erupted in celebration after their nation secured a remarkable 0-0 draw against Spain in its first-ever FIFA World Cup match here at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday, producing one of the tournament’s biggest surprises so far.

Thousands of miles from the action in Atlanta, fans gathered in Boston, home to the largest Cape Verdean community in the United States, to watch the match at a city-centre fan zone.

Dressed in blue and proudly waving the national flag, supporters cheered wildly at the final whistle as their side held firm against the former world champions.

Among those celebrating was Elizabeth dos Santos, 50, who moved to the United States at the age of 14 and now works as an assistant manager at a bank.

Overjoyed by the result, she said: “Oh my God, it's like we won the World Cup!

“Everybody was expecting Spain to beat us. We proved them wrong; we're small but we have a big heart.”

The draw marked a memorable moment for Cape Verde, a nation making its debut on football’s biggest stage against a Spanish side that won the World Cup in 2010 and remains one of Europe’s strongest teams.

Gabi Vieira, a 28-year-old pre-school teacher, said the performance filled her with pride.

“It's our first time in the World Cup and we came here with no expectations,” Vieira said.

“We always carry our flag with pride, but today and this month more than ever because everybody is going to be able to see our flag and hear our country's name.”

Looking ahead to Cape Verde’s next Group match against Uruguay in Miami on Sunday, Vieira offered some light-hearted advice to the players.

“We're going to eat some cachupa and we're going to be able to defeat them,” she said. “Eat some cachupa - that's our secret.”