Cape Verde head coach Bubista has praised his players for their performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, insisting the Blue Stars can be proud of a historic maiden appearance that ended in a 3-2 defeat to defending champions Argentina in Miami.

A contest that had everything

It was a match Cape Verde will not forget. Argentina led twice, and twice the Blue Stars responded — only for a cruel own goal from Diney Borges, following a Lionel Messi corner in extra time, to end their World Cup dream and send La Albiceleste into the Round of 16.

Messi broke the deadlock shortly after the first hydration break, lifting the ball over goalkeeper Vozinha after latching onto Lisandro Martinez's precise through-ball. Cape Verde levelled in the 59th minute through Deroy Duarte, and Vozinha — who produced several outstanding saves, including one from point-blank range against Messi — kept his side alive long enough to force extra time.

Argentina needed only two minutes of extra time to retake the lead, with Martinez collecting a loose ball from a corner and firing past Vozinha at the near post. Yet Cape Verde refused to fold. Left-back Sidny Lopes Cabral produced one of the moments of the tournament, curling a spectacular effort into the top corner from the edge of the box to draw Bubista's side level for the second time.

It was not enough. Messi's subsequent corner caused the own goal that sealed Argentina's passage to the last 16 and brought Cape Verde's remarkable campaign to a close.

Bubista hails players' dignity

Speaking after the defeat, Bubista reflected on what Cape Verde had achieved on football's biggest stage — making their first-ever World Cup appearance and pushing the reigning world champions to extra time.