Today Cabo Verde wrote a page in history as the latest tournament newcomers to deliver a dramatic entrance on the world stage.
By to a goalless draw in their opening Group H fixture, they fulfilled the ambition of their coach Bubista who “wanted everybody to see our country, our team”. What the world saw was a team who displayed organisation, discipline, resilience, composure and more in earning a point and the video below shows how goalkeeper Vozinha, centre-back Pico Lopes and the rest stood firm to frustrate La Roja.
Along with Cabo Verde, we also look back at the feats of other World Cup debutants who have delivered a statement performance down the years.
They did not get out of their group but they certainly gave their supporters something to celebrate in their opening fixture as they held Argentina, runners-up at the previous World Cup, to a 1-1 draw. Two years after stunning England at UEFA EURO 2016, they recovered from conceding an early Sergio Aguero goal to equalise through Alfred Finnbogason. In the second half goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson made a penalty save from Lionel Messi no less, ensuring the then-smallest nation to play at the World Cup earned a historic point.
As part of Czechoslovakia, Slovakian footballers in decades past had contested and lost World Cup finals – including in 1934 against Italy. But for the Slovakian class of 2010, competing as an independent nation for the first time on the global stage, they made their mark with a memorable win over Italy. Needing three points from their final group fixture to reach the Round of 16, they stunned the holders by triumphing 3-2 at Ellis Park, Roberto Vittek (2) and Kamil Kopunek scoring the goals.
Senegal’s first World Cup game was the small matter of the opening match of the 2002 Korea/Japan tournament in Seoul. Moreover it was against France, the defending world and European champions – and a country with whom Senegal has a shared colonial history. What happened was unforgettable: a 1-0 win thanks to Papa Bouba Diop’s first-half goal, turned in at the second attempt. It was the cue for a long run by Bruno Metsu’s men who overcame Sweden with a golden goal in the Round of 16 before succumbing to Turkey in the quarter-finals.
The North Koreans actually lost their opening game in 1966 against the Soviet Union but soon caused a stir. After Pak Seung-Zin's 88th-minute equaliser against Chile in their second match, they then stunned Italy 1-0 in their last group game at Middlesbrugh, Pak Doo-Ik writing his name into the history books with the only goal. They then gave Portugal an almighty scare at Goodison Park in the quarter-finals, leading 3-0 before a Eusebio-inspired fightback ended their adventure.
Sources: FIFA Official
