CAPE VERDE celebrated sensationally reaching the knockout stages in their fairytale first World Cup.
And their reward is a glamour last-32 tie against holders Argentina.
The African nation of just 530,000 ranked 67th in the world went unbeaten against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia – with three draws.
The 0-0 stalemate against the Saudis on Friday night secured second spot on three points behind the 2010 World Cup winners, who beat Uruguay, sending them packing.
And once full-time was confirmed in both matches – the Cape Verde watched the last seconds of Spain vs Uruguay on a phone on the pitch – the Blue Sharks supporters and players went wild in Houston.
The amazing scenes were made even better when they realised they would take on Lionel Messi and Co next Friday.
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Spain face the team that comes second in Group J, which will be either Algeria or Austria.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic beamed on Fox Sports: “Cape Verde. Small island. Big dreams.”
With history beckoning, Cape Verde coach Bubista changed half his starting side, some of it enforced, but retained his hero goalkeeper Vozinha.
The 40-year-old stopper single-handedly kept Cape Verde in it as they held out for a famous point against European champions Spain in their first-ever World Cup match.
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Cape Verde, which is off the west coast of Africa, then claimed a brave 2-2 draw with two-time former champions Uruguay.
That gave them a scarcely believable shot at the knockout rounds coming into the encounter against Saudi Arabia, who themselves were still alive.
At the same time, in Guadalajara, Spain and Uruguay met as an unexpectedly tight group went down to the wire.
Cape Verde had slightly the better of the first half in Houston against a Saudi side who drew 1-1 with Uruguay before being thrashed 4-0 by Spain.
The Saudis suffered a blow in the 33rd minute when experienced defender Hassan al-Tambakti was stretchered off injured.
Spain took the lead towards the end of the first half in Mexico, the news greeted by cheers by Cape Verde fans in Houston.
Willy Semedo fired not too far wide of the Saudi post but neither side seriously threatened in a tense first half.
At that point Cape Verde were going through at Uruguay’s expense.
Three minutes after the break Jamiro Monteiro had a major chance from close range but his finish was weak, then Kevin Pina had an effort from distance that whistled just off target.
The tension went up a notch as they entered the final quarter, but Saudi Arabia were strangely lacking in invention even though they were chasing the game.
In the 75th minute goalkeeper Mohammed al-Owais kept them in it with a vital stop from Laros Duarte.
A point was enough for Cape Verde, but if anything, they were the more likely to score as the match ticked into the dying minutes.
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