{"id":16295,"date":"2026-06-28T06:12:56","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T00:42:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?p=16295"},"modified":"2026-06-28T06:44:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T01:14:02","slug":"fifa-world-cup-2026-cape-verde-0-0-saudi-arabia-the-blue-sharks-make-history-cape-verde-reach-the-round-of-32","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-cape-verde-0-0-saudi-arabia-the-blue-sharks-make-history-cape-verde-reach-the-round-of-32\/","title":{"rendered":"FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 | Cape Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia | The Blue Sharks Make History: Cape Verde Reach the Round of 32"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div><p>A scoreless draw rarely writes history. This one did. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/cape-verde\/cape-verde-squad\">Cape Verde<\/a>, making their debut appearance at a FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122, held Saudi Arabia to a goalless stalemate at Houston Stadium on June 27 and qualified for the knockout stage of the World Cup. The point \u2014 their third draw from three group games \u2014 was enough. Three points, Group H runners-up, Round of 32. The Blue Sharks are through.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-black ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Page Contents:<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-cape-verde-0-0-saudi-arabia-the-blue-sharks-make-history-cape-verde-reach-the-round-of-32\/#Early_Cards_Early_Nerves_4%E2%80%B2_8%E2%80%B2\" >Early Cards, Early Nerves (4&#8242; &amp; 8&#8242;)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-cape-verde-0-0-saudi-arabia-the-blue-sharks-make-history-cape-verde-reach-the-round-of-32\/#First_Real_Threat_%E2%80%94_Semedo_Tests_Al-Owais_22%E2%80%B2\" >First Real Threat \u2014 Semedo Tests Al-Owais (22&#8242;)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-cape-verde-0-0-saudi-arabia-the-blue-sharks-make-history-cape-verde-reach-the-round-of-32\/#Defensive_Blow_for_Saudi_Arabia_%E2%80%94_Altambakti_Goes_Off_32%E2%80%B2\" >Defensive Blow for Saudi Arabia \u2014 Altambakti Goes Off (32&#8242;)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-cape-verde-0-0-saudi-arabia-the-blue-sharks-make-history-cape-verde-reach-the-round-of-32\/#Vozinha_Saves_the_Day_451%E2%80%B2\" >Vozinha Saves the Day (45+1&#8242;)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-cape-verde-0-0-saudi-arabia-the-blue-sharks-make-history-cape-verde-reach-the-round-of-32\/#Second_Half_Chances_Near-Misses_and_Two_Goalkeepers_at_Their_Best\" >Second Half: Chances, Near-Misses, and Two Goalkeepers at Their Best<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-cape-verde-0-0-saudi-arabia-the-blue-sharks-make-history-cape-verde-reach-the-round-of-32\/#Watch_Cape_Verde_vs_Saudi_Arabia_Match_Highlight_Free_Only_On_ZEE5\" >Watch Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia Match Highlight Free Only On ZEE5.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-2026-cape-verde-0-0-saudi-arabia-the-blue-sharks-make-history-cape-verde-reach-the-round-of-32\/#What_This_Means\" >What This Means<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><i>Watch Cape Verde and every <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\"><i>FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122<\/i><\/a><i> team live on ZEE 5 \u2014 India&#8217;s home of world football.<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Early_Cards_Early_Nerves_4%E2%80%B2_8%E2%80%B2\"><\/span><b>Early Cards, Early Nerves (4&#8242; &amp; 8&#8242;)<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Both sides came out with the edge. Saudi Arabia&#8217;s Saud Abdulhamid picked up a yellow card in the fourth minute for a robust challenge, and Cape Verde&#8217;s Wagner Pina followed four minutes later. The bookings set the tone \u2014 this would be physical, cautious, and tightly contested. Neither team was willing to open up early.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First_Real_Threat_%E2%80%94_Semedo_Tests_Al-Owais_22%E2%80%B2\"><\/span><b>First Real Threat \u2014 Semedo Tests Al-Owais (22&#8242;)<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Cape Verde made the first serious move in the 22nd minute. Willy Semedo cut into the penalty area and drilled a sharp, low shot toward the near post. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/saudi-arabia\/saudi-arabia-squad\">Saudi Arabia<\/a> goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais got down quickly to push it away. A good chance. Saudi Arabia breathed.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Defensive_Blow_for_Saudi_Arabia_%E2%80%94_Altambakti_Goes_Off_32%E2%80%B2\"><\/span><b>Defensive Blow for Saudi Arabia \u2014 Altambakti Goes Off (32&#8242;)<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Saudi Arabia suffered a cruel setback before the break when centre-back Hassan Altambakti, a mainstay in their defensive line through the tournament, pulled up with an injury and had to be stretchered off. Ali Lajami came on to replace him. Losing a key defender that early in a match of this importance was a significant disruption for the Green Falcons.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Vozinha_Saves_the_Day_451%E2%80%B2\"><\/span><b>Vozinha Saves the Day (45+1&#8242;)<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The most dramatic moment of the first half arrived deep in added time. Mohamed Kanno met a delivery in the box and connected with a powerful header that looked destined for the net. Cape Verde&#8217;s veteran goalkeeper Vozinha had other ideas \u2014 he flung himself across the goal and made a brilliant two-handed save to keep the sheet clean. It was a defining moment. The teams left the pitch at 0-0.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Second_Half_Chances_Near-Misses_and_Two_Goalkeepers_at_Their_Best\"><\/span><b>Second Half: Chances, Near-Misses, and Two Goalkeepers at Their Best<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The second half continued where the first left off \u2014 chances at both ends, neither side able to convert. Immediately after the restart, Jamiro Monteiro found space in the centre of the box but struck his shot straight into the arms of Al-Owais. A moment&#8217;s hesitation, and an opportunity gone.<\/p>\n<p>On the other end, Vozinha came perilously close to an error that could have ended the fairy tale. In the 53rd minute, he delayed a clearance inside his own six-yard box, allowing Feras Al-Buraikan to close him down rapidly. The goalkeeper just managed to kick the ball clear in time. Disaster averted \u2014 barely.<\/p>\n<p>The match&#8217;s best chance fell in the 75th minute. Substitute Laros Duarte broke clean through on goal after a sharp Cape Verde counter-attack. One-on-one with Al-Owais \u2014 but the Saudi goalkeeper came off his line decisively and produced a spectacular block to deny what looked like a certain goal. A save that, in a different result, would have been forgotten. In this one, it matters just as much.<\/p>\n<p>In stoppage time, Saudi Arabia threw everything forward. A final effort from Abdullah Al-Hamdan in the 90+2nd minute was smothered safely by Vozinha. The whistle went. Cape Verde had done it.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Watch_Cape_Verde_vs_Saudi_Arabia_Match_Highlight_Free_Only_On_ZEE5\"><\/span>Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/match-clips\/0-6-4z5974253\/cpv-vs-ksa-quickfire-highlights-fifa-world-cup-2026\/0-1-6z5993501\">Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia Match Highlight<\/a> Free Only On ZEE5.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_This_Means\"><\/span><b>What This Means<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Cape Verde finished Group H as runners-up \u2014 three draws, three points, a goal difference of zero, and a place in the World Cup knockout stage for the very first time. Their reward is a Round of 32 fixture against the reigning world champions, Argentina, in Miami on July 3. Saudi Arabia finished bottom of the group and were eliminated, unable to build on their famous 2022 result against Argentina four years on.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><i>Don&#8217;t miss Cape Verde vs Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Round of 32 \u2014 live on <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/myaccount\/subscription?plan-ref=0-11-7467&amp;asset-ref=0-6-4z5914493&amp;visibility=SELECTED&amp;context=FIFA\"><i>ZEE 5 FIFA Subscription<\/i><\/a><i>. Subscribe for Rs. 799 for three months.<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Disclaimer: Subscription pack prices are subject to change from time to time. Please visit the subscription page for the most up-to-date pricing information.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A scoreless draw rarely writes history. This one did. Cape Verde, making their debut appearance at a FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122, held Saudi Arabia to a goalless stalemate at Houston Stadium on June 27 and qualified for the knockout stage of the World Cup. The point \u2014 their third draw from three group games \u2014 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":15163,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3019],"tags":[3353,3031],"class_list":["post-16295","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-cape-verde-vs-saudi-arabia-match-report","tag-fifa-world-cup-2026"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Sourav K","author_link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 | Cape Verde 0-0 Saudi Arabia | The Blue Sharks Make History: Cape Verde 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