🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Cape Verde earns widespread praise despite World Cup exit to Argentina
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
Cape Verde's national football team, the Blue Sharks, garnered significant admiration from fans and opponents alike after their 3-2 extra-time loss to Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage. Despite bowing out of the tournament, the team, representing a nation of approximately 500,000 people, twice came from behind against the defending champions. Lionel Messi opened the scoring for Argentina, but Deroy Duarte equalized for Cape Verde. After Lisandro Martinez put Argentina ahead in extra time, Sidny Lopes Cabral scored a spectacular goal to level the match again. An own goal by Diney Borges in the 111th minute ultimately secured Argentina's victory. The spirited performance led to an outpouring of praise on social media, with many Nigerians and football enthusiasts commending Cape Verde. Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh described the team as fearless and inspiring, while gospel singer Nathaniel Bassey and former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad also lauded their efforts. Football content creator Adika and analyst Mr. Bayo highlighted Cape Verde's ability to challenge the world's top team. Argentina's captain Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni also congratulated Cape Verde on their strong performance, with Scaloni admitting his side was pushed to its limits. Cape Verde, making their World Cup debut, remained unbeaten in regulation time during the group stage, drawing all three matches against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia before their elimination in t
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France captain Kylian Mbappé has become the highest goalscorer in FIFA World Cup knockout-stage history, achieving 10 goals. The 27-year-old reached this milestone after scoring two goals in France’s 3-0 victory over Sweden in the Round of 32 on June 30. Mbappé's average of 1.11 knockout-stage goals per game is the highest among active players on the list. Argentina captain Lionel Messi is among four players with six knockout-stage goals, having added to his tally in Argentina’s 3-2 extra-time win against Cape Verde. According to FIFA, only 20 players in World Cup history have scored at least five goals in knockout matches. FIFA also noted that comparisons across different eras should consider the evolving World Cup format, as tournaments like 1934 and 1938 were entirely knockout-based, while the 1950 World Cup had no knockout stage, and other editions featured limited knockout matches.
Must ReadOut of ten African nations participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, only two have progressed to the Round of 16. Egypt secured their spot by defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, marking their first-ever knockout-stage win at a FIFA World Cup. They are set to play Argentina in the next round. Morocco was the first African team to qualify for the Round of 16, beating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, and will face co-hosts Canada. Eight other African representatives have been eliminated: Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Senegal, Ghana, and Cape Verde in the Round of 32, and Algeria in the group stage.
BreakingFuneral ceremonies for Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei began on Saturday, drawing thousands of participants. Iranian authorities anticipate between 15 and 20 million attendees in Tehran alone over three days. Six days of ceremonies are planned to commemorate Khamenei, who led the Islamic republic from 1989 until his death at 86 on February 28. The events will be closely watched for signs of Khamenei’s son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was named supreme leader a week after his father's death but has not yet appeared publicly. Mourners carrying red banners, symbolizing vengeance, gathered in Tehran’s Grand Mosalla religious complex, chanting “death to America” and “revenge, revenge.” Security measures are significant, with blocked roads and anticipated airspace closure for what is expected to be the largest public event in Iran since the burial of Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. The coffin will lie in state until Monday, with a procession through Tehran, then move to Qom on Tuesday, Shia holy cities in Iraq on Wednesday, and finally Mashhad for burial on Thursday. Top Iranian officials, including parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Ahmad Vahidi, chief of the Revolutionary Guards, paid their respects. International guests included Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Russian ex-president Dmitry Medvedev. Representatives from Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Taliban government also attended. Army chief Amir Hatami vowed that Israel and the US “will pay for the bl