THE Cape Verde national team is on the brink of qualifying for the World Cup for the very first time.
The Blue Sharks came heartbreakingly close to securing their spot in the prestigious tournament on Wednesday.
Cape Verde scored two late goals to equalize against Libya, keeping their World Cup qualification dreams alive.
Check out this incredible blunder by Libya's goalkeeper. He gifted a goal to Cape Verde, making it 3-2.
— Nahuel Lanzón (@nahuelzn) October 8, 2025
Then they equalized at 3-3. Absolutely unbelievable! pic.twitter.com/F9lQdJjRp3
After trailing 3-1 at the 11 June Stadium, Cape Verde staged a remarkable comeback to draw the match against Libya.
The goalkeeper, Murad Al Wuheeshi, made a significant mistake that allowed them back into the game with about 15 minutes remaining.
Sidny Cabral played a long ball forward that slipped through the 28-year-old’s legs and slowly rolled into the net.
Willy Semedo then equalized from a close range after a failed clearance by the Libyan defense.
This result placed Cape Verde at the top of Group D in CAF qualifying with 20 points from nine matches.
Meanwhile, Libya remains in third place with 15 points.
A victory on Wednesday would have ensured Cape Verde's World Cup qualification.
However, they have a second opportunity to qualify against Eswatini next Monday.
If they succeed, Cape Verde will become the second smallest nation ever to participate in the tournament.
The country, situated in the central Atlantic Ocean, has a population of approximately 525,000.
Over the years, it has become a popular holiday destination for British tourists, with thousands visiting the islands annually.
It still holds the record as the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup group stage.
