Cape Verdean supporters celebrate late into the night following the country’s historic World Cup debut, after the team holds European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw. All reports describe the match as a major surprise, with Cape Verde emerging as a disciplined opponent against a heavily favored Spain side. The result is attributed in part to strong defensive organization and key goalkeeping, including saves made by the team’s 40-year-old goalkeeper. In the capital, Praia, fans gather in large numbers at watch parties and on major roads to sing and dance, turning the game into a citywide celebration. The tone across sources is focused on public reaction to the achievement: Cape Verde’s first World Cup appearance comes after significant anticipation, and the draw against Spain is presented as an outcome many supporters and observers considered unlikely. Multiple outlets emphasize the scale of the moment for the small, roughly half a million people nation.