Cape Verde’s World Cup Heroics: “It’s been a fairytale, but not an overnight success”
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What led to Cape Verde's remarkable World Cup performance?
I think even Taylor Swift's wedding has been knocked off the front page of the internet. If you didn't stay up one of the small hours last night, you will have woken up to the news that Cape Verde, one of the smallest nations in the World Cup, the smallest, I think, nearly beat one of the best teams on the planet. Cape Verde's extraordinary World Cup debut ended in heartbreak at the hands of Argentina after an extra time on goal handed the world champions a 3-2 win in Miami, but it was certainly touch and go for Argentina at times. And of course, Crumlin man, Roberto Pico Lopez, was there in the thick of it. RT Soccer correspondent, Tony O'Donoghue, was up late watching the game. He's on the line now.
Good morning, Tony. Good morning, Brendan.
How are you?
I'm good, Tony. In the grand tradition of moral victories in Irish soccer and sport in general, we'll take this one, will we?
I suppose so, yeah. Look, I know he wasn't front page of the papers today because they went to bed or went to print, I suppose, before time. The Pico Lopez story, the Cape Verde story has captured the imagination. And I imagine half the country was up last night and all of Crumlin watching the late, late game as Argentina overcame Cape Verde, but not until extra time. And Cape Verde almost brought it to penalties. It was an amazing game.
How did Cape Verde almost defeat Argentina in their World Cup match?
I think it was the game of the tournament, to be honest. Well worth staying up for. So the end of the road for Cape Verde and Pico Lopez. But what a journey it's been. He was up against Messi last night. Messi, his imperious self, the best player in the world currently, maybe the best player ever. He's a magician. Argentina took the lead just after 29 minutes. And Brendan, how Messi controls the ball. It's mesmeric, it's magical. A long through ball and he just seems at his own will to be able to make the ball do what he wants. And he lofted the ball over Vazinha for 1-0. And you thought, OK, look, Cape Verde have had their time and that's it. But no, they equalized through. Duarte was terrific.
Who is Roberto 'Pico' Lopes and what was his role in the game?
They brought the game to extra time. And as the second half went on, it was Cape Verde who looked like they were the ones who were fitter, stronger, who wanted it more. OK, we all well know that Messi walks around until he creates that magic. But they had the momentum. And unfortunately, two minutes into the extra time, Argentina scored. And you thought, well, that's it now. But then... The goal of the tournament, undoubtedly, by Sidney Lopez Cabral brought it to 2-2. One of the great World Cup goals. It'll be up there in the history. I mean, he just whipped it in from the left-hand edge of the box into the deep far corner. It was a thing of beauty, Brendan. It was magnificent. And so we're thinking this is definitely going to go to penalties now.
Will Argentina hold their nerve? But sadly for Pico and sadly for the Irish audience who've been following Cape Verde, a Romero header from a messy corner, 3-2 to Argentina. But my oh my, it was an amazing journey. And, you know, the story will continue. I hope when Pico comes home, he gets the credit he deserved because, as I say, the nation was enchanted by it. At halftime, there was a great sort of interaction between them that the cameras picked up on. And it looked like Messi was giving it large to Pico. And it turns out afterwards, Pico had... tried to block one of his runs and Messi said to him hey Lopez without the ball that's a foul but Pico wasn't having any of it and he had a few words back to Messi and I'm not sure if his reply was in Spanish or Portuguese or Creole or even in native Crumlin but he certainly stood up to the great Messi as did Cape Verde last night what a game yeah Pico's a cool customer as well isn't he let's have a listen to him here he is talking to BBC Sport after the game
We said coming to this tournament that we wanted to make history. We wanted to show that we deserved to be here. I think overall we showed we're more than capable of competing with some of the best teams in the world.
Ten years ago you were working as a mortgage advisor.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What led to Cape Verde's remarkable World Cup performance?
0:00–1:18
2
How did Cape Verde almost defeat Argentina in their World Cup match?
1:18–2:00
3
Who is Roberto 'Pico' Lopes and what was his role in the game?
2:00–5:15
4
What were the standout moments from the Cape Verde vs. Argentina match?
5:15–12:35