Proud Cape Verde coach: 'We showed dignity and courage' after World Cup exit

Cape Verde's Cinderella run in the World Cup concluded with a narrow 2-3 defeat to defending champions Argentina after extra time. The island nation, which had become a tournament darling, twice fought back from behind to level the score before succumbing to the Argentinian side's class.

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The atmosphere in the locker room is depressed. We are of course sad because we are leaving the tournament, and because we were so close.

Despite the heartbreak of elimination, Cape Verde's coach Bubista remained immensely proud of his team. "The atmosphere in the locker room is depressed. We are of course sad because we are leaving the tournament, and because we were so close," he stated, according to Reuters. "I am proud of my players and what they have achieved. They did it with dignity and courage."

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I am proud of my players and what they have achieved. They did it with dignity and courage.

Lionel Messi, Argentina's star player, lauded the African opponent's performance. "They showed why they drew against Uruguay and Spain. They were very disciplined, and they had their strengths. They played with great intensity and fought back," Messi commented after scoring Argentina's first goal.

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They showed why they have gotten a draw against Uruguay and Spain. They were very disciplined, and they had their strengths. They played with great intensity and fought back.

This marked Cape Verde's debut at the World Cup, and they made a significant impression. After three draws in the group stage, they advanced to the knockout phase. Their journey included a notable 0-0 draw against European champions Spain, followed by points against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. "It wasn't just about playing. It was about showing the world who we are," said Bubista, emphasizing the team's desire to measure themselves against the world's best.

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It wasn't just about playing. It was about showing the world who we are.