BY KUNLE SOLAJA

When the final whistle sounded and Argentina finally emerged 3-2 winners after extra time, the scoreline told only part of the story.

The real story was not just that defending champions Argentina had advanced to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup. It was that a tiny island nation of barely half a million people had pushed the world champions, and a record-breaking Lionel Messi, to the very edge.

For much of the football world, Cabo Verde were expected to be little more than spectators at the grandest stage of all. Making their FIFA World Cup debut, the Blue Sharks arrived in North America with little fanfare and few expectations.

By the time their remarkable journey ended against Argentina, they had become Africa’s Cinderella team and one of the most celebrated stories of the tournament.

From Praia to Buenos Aires, from Dakar to New York, football fans were united in admiration for a team that refused to be intimidated by reputations, rankings or history.

Against Argentina, the script appeared straightforward. On one side stood the reigning world champions, led by Messi, the greatest player of his generation and perhaps of all time. On the other stood a nation making its first appearance at the World Cup.

What many anticipated would be a routine Argentine victory became a gripping contest that required extra time before the South Americans could finally prevail.

Lionel Messi, captain of Argentina, exchanges words with Cabo Verde players after their dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 encounter. While Argentina eventually prevailed, the Blue Sharks earned global admiration for their fearless debut campaign, pushing the reigning champions to the limit and capping one of the tournament’s most inspiring underdog stories. PHOTO: FIFA/Getty Images.

In many ways, Cabo Verde achieved something that statistics cannot measure. They transformed themselves from tournament newcomers into global favourites.

Their courage forced Argentina to work harder than many expected. Their organisation frustrated one of football’s most potent attacks. Their belief never wavered, even when facing a side packed with world-class talent and carrying the burden of defending the title.

Ironically, a match that produced a collection of historic milestones for Messi also highlighted the extraordinary rise of Cabo Verde.

Messi became the first player ever to feature in the knockout stages of six different World Cups. He extended his record as the competition’s all-time leading scorer with his 20th goal and made a record 30th World Cup appearance. He also became the oldest South American player to score in a World Cup knockout match.

Yet while the headlines naturally celebrated another chapter in Messi’s remarkable career, many of the loudest conversations after the match were about the team that nearly derailed Argentina’s march.

For African football, Cabo Verde’s campaign represents something significant.

For decades, the continent’s World Cup hopes have largely rested on traditional powers such as Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. Cabo Verde arrived with none of that pedigree.

Yet they demonstrated that modern African football is no longer confined to established names.

Throughout the tournament, the Blue Sharks competed without fear. They faced former world champions Uruguay and Spain. They then confronted the reigning champions Argentina.

Remarkably, their only defeat came against Lionel Scaloni’s side.

That achievement alone underlines the scale of their accomplishment.

The tournament also provided moments of individual history.

Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha became the first African player aged 40 or older to appear in a World Cup knockout match. At 40 years and 30 days, he stood as a symbol of resilience and longevity, inspiring teammates young enough to be his sons.

His performances throughout the tournament reflected the character of the team itself — composed, courageous and determined.

Cabo Verde may not have lifted the trophy, but they captured something equally valuable: the imagination of football fans around the world.

Their journey echoed some of the greatest underdog stories in World Cup history. Like Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Morocco in 2022, they reminded the world that football’s magic often lies not in the triumphs of giants but in the dreams of outsiders.

For Africa, their campaign offers renewed hope.

For Cabo Verde, it offers proof that they belong among football’s elite.

And for the rest of the world, the Blue Sharks leave the tournament with something no scoreline can erase — respect.

Argentina continue their title defence. Messi continues to rewrite football history.

But long after the statistics are forgotten, FIFA World Cup 2026 will be remembered as the tournament where Cabo Verde arrived on the world stage and showed that even the smallest nation can dream big enough to challenge champions.

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Fixture: Paraguay vs France
Venue: Philadelphia Stadium
Stage: FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16
Date: July 2026

Paraguay and France will meet for the third time in FIFA World Cup history when they clash in a highly anticipated Round of 16 encounter at Philadelphia Stadium.

History strongly favours France, who have won both previous World Cup meetings between the sides. The first came in a dramatic 7-3 group-stage thriller at the 1958 tournament in Sweden, a match still remembered as the highest-scoring World Cup game involving either nation. French legend Just Fontaine scored a hat-trick in that unforgettable encounter.

Their second World Cup meeting arrived four decades later at France 1998, when the hosts edged Paraguay 1-0 in the Round of 16 thanks to a golden goal from Laurent Blanc.

Head-to-Head Record

FIFA World Cup Meetings

All International Meetings

Last Meeting: France 5-0 Paraguay (Friendly, Rennes, June 2017)

Road To The Round Of 16

Paraguay booked their place among the final 16 after finishing third in Group D with four points behind the United States and Australia but ahead of Türkiye. Gustavo Alfaro’s men then produced one of the shocks of the Round of 32 by eliminating four-time champions Germany on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The match featured a landmark moment as Julio Enciso scored Paraguay’s first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout match.

France, meanwhile, have looked every inch title contenders. They topped Group I with maximum points after victories over Senegal (3-1), Iraq (3-0) and Norway (4-1) before sweeping aside Sweden 3-0 in the Round of 32.

A brace from Kylian Mbappé and a goal from Bradley Barcola secured the victory and extended an extraordinary scoring streak that has seen Les Bleus become the first team in World Cup history to score at least three goals in five consecutive matches.

Key Facts

• France have won both previous World Cup meetings against Paraguay.
• Paraguay have lost only one of their last five World Cup matches against European opposition.
• La Albirroja have progressed from a World Cup knockout tie twice, both through penalty shoot-outs — against Japan in 2010 and Germany in 2026.
• A victory would take Paraguay into the quarter-finals and equal their best-ever World Cup performance, achieved in South Africa in 2010.
• Paraguay have lost only two of their last ten World Cup matches.
• France have won 13 of their last 15 international matches.
• Les Bleus have won 15 of their last 18 World Cup fixtures.
• France have won their opening four matches of a World Cup campaign for only the second time, matching their achievement in 1998.
• The French have prevailed in 17 of their last 20 World Cup knockout matches.
• France have scored 149 goals in World Cup history and need just one more to reach the 150-goal milestone.
• Mbappé’s brace against Sweden marked the seventh time he has scored two or more goals in a World Cup match, a tournament record.
• The France captain has scored nine goals in his last five World Cup appearances.

Players To Watch

Julio Enciso (Paraguay)
The Brighton forward made history against Germany by scoring Paraguay’s first-ever World Cup knockout-stage goal and will carry his country’s attacking hopes.

Kylian Mbappé (France)
In devastating form, Mbappé has scored nine goals in his last five World Cup matches and remains the leading figure in France’s pursuit of another world title.

Paraguay World Cup Record

• Matches: 31
• Wins: 8
• Draws: 12
• Losses: 11
• Goals For: 33
• Goals Against: 43

The Verdict

Paraguay arrive full of confidence after their dramatic elimination of Germany and are chasing a second-ever World Cup quarter-final appearance. Standing in their way, however, is a France side rewriting attacking records and looking increasingly like one of the favourites for the title.

History, form and firepower all favour Les Bleus, but Paraguay have already shown in this tournament that they are capable of upsetting football’s traditional giants.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

As football fans around the world focus on the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stages, the FIFA Fan Festival will offer a spectacular blend of football, music and culture on Friday, July 4, with special events planned across Miami, Mexico City and Dallas.

The biggest celebration is set for Miami, where the FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park will host a day-long programme marking 250 years of American independence.

Running from noon until midnight, the free event will combine live World Cup match screenings with a packed entertainment schedule featuring internationally renowned performers. Music lovers will be treated to appearances by Jamaican reggae icon Shaggy, Cuban-American music legend Willy Chirino, country performer Orlando Mendez, R&B group 112, rock band The Fray, and the popular duo of Ashanti and Ja Rule.

The festivities will also include a drone show and a midnight fireworks display, providing a fitting finale to a day celebrating both football and a landmark moment in American history.

In Mexico City, fans attending the FIFA Fan Festival will be entertained by Mexican singer, actor and voice artist Héctor Ortiz, who is scheduled to perform at 5:00 p.m.

Ortiz, known for his extensive work in musical theatre and film dubbing, will present a special tribute show honouring legendary music icons Elvis Presley and Jim Morrison. Organisers say the performance will blend music, storytelling and nostalgia while celebrating the enduring influence of two of popular music’s most iconic figures.

Meanwhile, in Dallas, acclaimed Oklahoma country-rock outfit Turnpike Troubadours will take centre stage at 7:30 p.m.

Widely regarded as one of independent music’s most respected acts, the band is expected to deliver its trademark blend of vivid storytelling, energetic fiddle-driven melodies and fan-favourite Red Dirt country anthems, offering a distinctly American soundtrack to Independence Day celebrations.

The entertainment programme forms part of FIFA’s efforts to make the FIFA Fan Festival a major attraction beyond the matches themselves, creating a unique atmosphere where football supporters can experience local culture, music and festivities while following the action from the world’s biggest sporting event.

With knockout football drama on the screens and world-class entertainment on stage, fans across North America are set for a memorable Fourth of July celebration at the FIFA Fan Festival.

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