Two Teams That Couldn't Beat Cape Verde In 90 Minutes, Are Now In World Cup Final

Published 16 July 2026 · sports

Two Teams That Couldn't Beat Cape Verde In 90 Minutes, Are Now In World Cup Final Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 11:16 IST

Two Teams That Couldn't Beat Cape Verde In 90 Minutes, Are Now In World Cup Final Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 11:16 IST Quite the irony that the world cup final will be played between two powerhouses who failed to tame Cape Verde in 90 minutes. Lionel Messi (10) reacts falls to the ground during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Argentina and Cape Verde. (AFP Photo) The 2026 FIFA World Cup will have a fitting finale on Sunday as Spain and Argentina, the tournament’s two most consistent teams, meet in the summit clash, after going through the rigours of the group stage followed by knockout rounds. Title holders Argentina secured victory in each of their seven matches, while Spain bounced back after a goalless draw with tournament debutant Cape Verde to win the next six and qualify for their second ever World Cup final. There is one thread that links the finalists, and it comes courtesy of Cape Verde – the smallest nation to have ever taken part in a FIFA World Cup. Of the 13 teams that either faced Argentina or Spain, only Cape Verde managed to leave both without a straightforward victory in 90 minutes. Cape Verde created history with a remarkable campaign to advance to the Round of 32 where they lost to eventual finalists Argentina.

They first frustrated Spain into a goalless draw in the group stage before later taking Argentina to extra time in a dramatic Round of 32 meeting. It is a quirky trivia, but one that has become one of the tournament’s charming subplots. Spain, who eventually topped their group and have since looked every bit the title contenders, were held 0-0 by an organised and fearless Cape Verde side. While the draw raised eyebrows at the time, it soon became apparent that Cape Verde were no ordinary underdogs. Their compact defending, a goalkeeper that refused to give up, and disciplined midfield earned admiration throughout the competition. Argentina’s meeting with Cape Verde was even more memorable. Expected to cruise through the Round of 32, the South Americans instead found themselves dragged into one of the tournament’s most entertaining knockout matches. Cape Verde refused to wilt, matching Argentina stride for stride before eventually succumbing 3-2 after extra time. It was the only clash en route to the final in which Argentina needed more than the regulation time of 90 minutes to progress. In hindsight, neither Spain nor Argentina should feel embarrassed by those performances. If anything, Cape Verde’s resilience has only enhanced the value of those results. As the tournament progressed, both finalists settled into a familiar rhythm. Spain eased past Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 before edging Portugal 1-0 in a tense Iberian derby.