In a moment that transcended the sport itself, Cape Verdeans poured onto the streets of Praia and Mindelo on Tuesday night, celebrating a 2-2 draw against Spain that felt like a victory. For a nation of just over half a million people, where football is more than a game but a rare global stage, this result was a statement of resilience. The scenes were raw: strangers hugging, car horns blaring, and the flag of Cape Verde flying from every balcony.
On social media, British fans were quick to commend the 'small-nation spirit', a phrase that perhaps reveals more about our own romanticised view of underdogs than the reality of Cape Verdean joy. Yet, there was something undeniably moving about watching a people, often overlooked in the grand narrative of world football, claim their moment. It is a reminder that for many nations, football is not about glory but about visibility.
The draw may be forgotten in a week, but the feeling of being seen will linger.
