'Greatest feeling ever': Cape Verdeans tell BBC of joy at holding Spain to draw

The streets of Cape Verde's capital, Praia, shook to the deafening sounds of vuvuzelas, chants and car horns as the Blue Sharks held European champions Spain to a 0‑0 draw in their World Cup opener.

The match felt more like a win than a draw to many fans: “It was an emotional moment,” said Isa Conceição, who watched the game from a packed fan zone. She, like thousands of others, wore a blue national jersey and the crowd erupted in wild celebrations when the final whistle blew.

“Being a small country and being able to achieve such a good result against Spain, a football powerhouse, is the greatest feeling ever,” she told the BBC. The official World Cup song “nos óra dja txiga”—Cape Verdean Creole for “our time has come”—was played amid chants and flags waving.

Many foreign supporters were also thrilled: a Congolese visitor remarked that the energy and speed of Cape Verde “were just amazing.” Others, visiting the islands for the first time, praised the team’s heart‑wide performance and the lively flair that surprised even seasoned football fans.

Across neighbourhoods, flags hung on windows, balconies and rooftops; vehicles honked joyfully, waving flags or displaying football merchandise. The proud 0‑0 draw against a football behemoth has lifted hope that Cape Verde can push beyond the group stage.

They will next face Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, a contest that will determine their fate in the tournament. Even if they cannot progress, many feel proud that the players have enhanced the country's image on the world stage.

Additional reporting by the BBC's Michel Mvondo in Praia