5 min readBostonUpdated: Jun 27, 2026 09:34 PM IST When Cape Verde locked out Saudi Arabia, home to one of the richest leagues in the world and conquerors of Argentina at the previous World Cup, the tiny island nation battered by hurricanes were not yet certain of their progress to the knockouts. Their fate depended on the Uruguay-Spain game. After shaking hands with the Saudi players, they wandered around, searching for their messenger of hope. Finally, the news arrived: Spain had beaten Uruguay. The smallest nation ever to reach the knockouts of a World Cup were through. Midfielder Deroy Duarte told reporters he wanted to cry. “Everyone was just waiting and praying,” he said. “We deserved it so much, because we gave everything. There was so much tension. The joy that came out is something I never felt before, and I hope to feel it again.” Soon he joined his teammates in a full-on party. Manager Pedro Leitão Brito, known as Bubista, strolled in furiously waving a giant Cape Verde flag. Some of his players …