The streets of Praia, Cape Verde's capital, erupted in celebration after the Blue Sharks held European champions Spain to a goalless draw in their opening World Cup fixture — a result that felt, for many on the island, like something far greater than a point.

Supporters flooded fan zones dressed in blue national team jerseys, vuvuzelas blaring and car horns echoing through the night. "It was an emotional moment," said Isa Conceição, one of thousands who packed the viewing areas to witness the historic result.

"Being a small country and being able to achieve such a good result against Spain, a football powerhouse, is the greatest feeling ever," she told the BBC.

Playing with their hearts

The celebrations spread across neighbourhoods, with national flags hung from windows, balconies, and rooftops. Drivers honked through the streets, flags trailing from car windows, as the beats of nos óra dja txiga — Cape Verdean Creole for "our time has come" — rang out from fan zones across the capital.

A France-based visitor named Pauline credited Cape Verde's resilience to the fact that they "played with their hearts. That's all that matters," she said. A Congolese supporter, visiting the archipelago for the first time, was equally struck by what they witnessed: "I thought Spain was going to win the match, but the energy, the speed of Cape Verde was just amazing."

Cape Verde — an archipelago of about half a million people off the coast of West Africa — qualified for the World Cup for the first time in history, edging Cameroon to reach the tournament. They arrived in Group H as underdogs, pitted against two former world champions in Spain and Uruguay.

Eyes on the group stage

The 0-0 result against Spain — a team widely regarded as one of football's elite forces — sparked genuine belief among supporters that the Blue Sharks could go further. Cape Verde face Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in their remaining group matches, with those results determining whether they advance beyond the first round.

Many fans told the BBC that even an early exit would not diminish their pride. For a nation only now making its World Cup debut, holding Spain was already a statement — and the streets of Praia made clear that the country heard it loud and clear.