Cape Verde Coach Backs World Cup Fairytale Against Argentina as Bubble of Belief Grows

• Cape Verde coach Bubista says his side believe they can upset reigning champions Argentina in the World Cup round of 32.
• The tournament debutants became the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout stage and now face Lionel Messi’s side in Miami.
• Bubista insists Cape Verde will play with courage and ambition, saying his team is determined to chase another historic result.

Cape Verde coach Pedro Leitao Brito has declared his side will approach their World Cup round-of-32 clash against Argentina with belief rather than fear, insisting his players are capable of producing one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

The African nation, making history as the smallest country by population to qualify for the World Cup knockout rounds, faces reigning champions Argentina in Miami on Friday after an unbeaten group-stage campaign.

Despite Argentina entering the match as overwhelming favourites, Bubista said his players have earned the right to dream after their remarkable journey.

“There’s belief and conviction and that’s very helpful,” Bubista said.

“We will play with courage. We will be bold and fight for the qualification. We want the players to enjoy the match, but to be focused and do everything to go to the next phase.”

“Of course we believe. We believe in ourselves and our strengths, our players and our team. We know this will be a very difficult game, but we can hurt our opponent. We are brave and ambitious and we will play to win.”

Argentina head into the knockout clash led by Lionel Messi, who has scored six goals in three World Cup appearances despite being rested for the final group match against Jordan.

Messi is expected to return to the starting lineup against Cape Verde, but Bubista dismissed suggestions his tactical approach would focus solely on stopping the Argentina captain.

“We as a team have our own strategy, not only against Messi but the whole team,” he said.

“They are the current world champions and one of the best teams in the tournament. We will play against the whole team. We know Messi is one of the best players in the world, but we play against the whole team.”

Cape Verde advanced from Group H after recording draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, securing a place in the knockout rounds through one of the tournament’s standout stories.

Their progression has already rewritten World Cup history, and Bubista believes recent results have shown that established football powers are no longer untouchable.

Paraguay’s shock elimination of Germany earlier in the knockout stage has reinforced that belief.

“The so-called small teams have shown they can compete on the same playing level with the so-called superior teams,” Bubista said.

“It only goes to show that the small ones can also face up to the most challenging matches. Argentina will be challenging for us, but we want it to be challenging for them too.”

“We are here on merit. In the last three matches we have shown we can compete at a high level. We know the quality of our opponent, but we also have our dream.”

Victory would secure one of the greatest results in Cape Verde’s football history and extend an already unforgettable World Cup campaign against the defending world champions.