The tiny Cape Verde did much to shake up the World Cup on Monday in pulling off a shock goalless draw with former winners Spain in their debut performance at the tournament.
They put in a proper shift in holding the much vaunted Spanish attack at bay and must now believe they have the ability to get more points and advance past the first round.
Here are SuperSport.com’s ratings of the African team’s performance from the Atlanta match:
Vozinha (8): Cape Verde’s most capped international took a while to be tested but had a busy end to the first half with some key saves, looking commanding in everything he did.
Steven Moreira (6): Right-sided wingback who did venture forward occasionally but was largely busy with the Cape Verdean rearguard action.
Diney Borges (8): Playing as right-sided centre-back, he had a couple of slips but also a superb clearance to deny Mikel Oyarzabal 10 minutes before halftime and many other timely interceptions. He also had Cape Verde’s only real chance at the other end on the stroke of fulltime.
Pico Lopes (8): The centre-back is the first player from a League of Ireland team to appear at the World Cup and a clearing header early on, plus a block to deny Mikel Oyarzabal near the end, made him one of the heroes of the day.
Sidny Cabral (7): The left-back was cautioned early and so was taken off in the 76th minute but not before also making a solid defensive contribution.
Kevin Pina (8): Worked his socks off in the midfield to cover in front of the back four and try and temper the insistent Spanish attack.
Jovane Cabral (6): The left wing did not have much opportunity on the front foot, but when he did have a half chance, wasted it with a wild shot. But it was not a day for attack but rather defending.
Jamiro Monteiro (7): An injury doubt in the build-up to the World Cup, the Dutch-born midfielder, who does not have a club, made some vital interceptions as the Spanish tried to pass their way into the danger zone.
Laros Duarte (6): Another who worked continuously to block Spanish progress in the middle before going off in the 60th minute and allowing his younger brother a chance to play.
Ryan Mendes (5): This was never going to be a game where the veteran would have much chance going forward, but he botched the one real counter-attack opportunity they had.
Dailon Livramento (6): Cape Verde’s leading scorer in the qualifiers did a lot of work as the first line of defence, knowing he would not have much chance on the front foot.
Deroy Duarte (7): One for the last 30 minutes, he made a strong impression with a key tackle on Pedri as the Spanish upped the attacking tempo near the end.
Willy Semedo (7): Substitute in the 61st minute who kept up the defensive standard and on the left side several times checked Lamine Yamal’s progress.
Nuno da Costa (7): One of three subs who came on at the same time and who made some good steals with force and determination.
Telmo Arcanjo (-): Not enough game time for a rating.
Joao Paulo (-): Not enough game time for a rating.
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