Cape Verde celebrates World Cup loss to Argentina as a historic victory

The streets of Mindelo, Cape Verde's second-largest city, erupted in celebration despite the national football team's 3-2 loss to Argentina in the World Cup round of 16. The overwhelming sentiment was one of immense pride, with many viewing the performance as a historic victory.

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It feels like we have won the World Cup.

"It feels like we have won the World Cup," said Elisangela Lima, 43, watching the match on a large screen. She told her son, "We made Messi kneel. Did you see? They were afraid of us." Her son, Cleidin Pinto, 13, though tearful, acknowledged the team's strong showing, stating, "We played as equals against the reigning world champions. It is a victory, my son."

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We made Messi kneel. Did you see? They were afraid of us.

Amélia Pinto, 54, echoed the sentiment of national achievement. "We have written football history. We are debutants in the World Cup, but no one will ever see us as a small country anymore," she declared. The team's performance, including a stunning equalizer by defender Sidny Lopes Cabral, pushed the reigning champions to the brink before an own goal in the 111th minute sealed their fate.

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We played as equals against the reigning world champions. It is a victory, my son.

Telmo Luz, 47, waved a Cape Verdean flag, proclaiming, "I don't care. We have won! We are a football nation that no one expected, but now we have won respect." The African island nation, with a population of half a million, is satisfied with its World Cup debut. They remained undefeated in regular time during the group stage, drawing with Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. The narrow loss to Argentina has firmly placed Cape Verde on the global football map.

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But we could have won.