Cape Verde's national soccer team returned home on Sunday after their historic run to the round of 32 of the World Cup. The Blue Sharks advanced with three draws, an unprecedented achievement for the small African nation, where they were defeated by Argentina in extra time. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
The men's basketball team also clinched a berth in the second round of World Cup qualifying. Basketball coach Emanuel Trovoada said after beating Libya: "Viva Cape Verde." These achievements coincided with the country's Independence Day. Cape Verde, with a population of about 500,000, is the smallest country by land mass ever to reach the World Cup.