Cape Verde, one of Africa’s smallest nations, made a striking impression in its World Cup debut last week by holding reigning European champions Spain to a scoreless draw. The result marked a historic moment for the island nation, located off the coast of West Africa, and has generated a wave of enthusiasm and cautious optimism throughout the archipelago.

As Cape Verde prepared for its upcoming fixture against Uruguay, a two-time World Cup champion, the mood among locals combined hope and anxiety. The team, known as the Blue Sharks, lacks globally recognized stars but has garnered attention thanks in part to Josimar José Évora Dias, their veteran goalkeeper. At 40, Dias—nicknamed Vozinha, Portuguese for “Granny”—emerged as a key figure, making seven crucial saves against Spain and earning widespread praise.

Cape Verde’s status in international soccer has historically been modest, with limited impact on the continental stage. However, the team’s recent progress includes reaching the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations in 2023, their best performance since 2013. This year’s World Cup group presents a formidable challenge, also featuring Saudi Arabia, a team that has shown notable improvement in recent years.

Against Spain, the Blue Sharks adopted a defensive, disciplined approach, focusing on protecting their goal rather than pursuing aggressive attacks. This strategy paid off, as the team managed to frustrate a technically superior opponent. “We were giants,” said Nuno Martins, a resident of Mindelo on the island of São Vicente, attributing the team’s success both to tactical execution and a sense of divine favor, declaring, “God is Cape Verdean, even though he lives in other lands.”

The expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams has allowed more African nations to participate, with the continent’s representation doubling from five to ten spots. Despite concerns that this might lower the tournament’s overall quality, many newer entrants have performed competitively so far.

Dias’s journey to the World Cup has personal significance. Raised mainly by his grandmother while his mother, Ana Cândida Évora, worked as a caregiver, he credits his family’s support for his resilience. Yet the family faced difficulties when Ana Évora attempted to obtain a U.S. visa to attend the matches in Atlanta. Complications with visa fees and administrative hurdles—reflective of broader frustrations felt by African visitors under recent U.S. policies—delayed her arrival until late last week.

Local reactions to Cape Verde’s draw with Spain vary. Some remain skeptical about the team’s chances of progressing beyond the group stage, with José Eduardo Cardoso, a taxi driver in the capital city Praia, expressing doubts over the likelihood of sustained success. Others, like Martins, believe the team could be the “surprise of the tournament,” cautioning against complacency.

Regardless of the final outcome, many Cape Verdeans are proud of their team’s unexpected achievement. Economist Erika Soares, based on the island of Santiago, said, “We already feel like winners,” underscoring how the Blue Sharks have inspired a sense of collective pride across the nation.