Cape Verde 1-0 Argentina? President predicts shock win

Cape Verde president Jose Maria Neves has backed his country's fairy-tale World Cup campaign to continue, predicting a 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina in the last 32 as the Blue Sharks aim to keep "writing their destiny".

"I think Cape Verde can beat Argentina 1-0," Neves told the BBC.

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"We are playing to win... when expectations are low regarding a team, and if that team has the urge to win, it is possible. A small nation like Cape Verde should make an effort to always do that - to permanently surprise people," he said.

His comments come ahead of Saturday's last-32 clash against Argentina in Miami.

The two sides are separated by 63 places in the FIFA world rankings, with Argentina occupying top spot and Cape Verde ranked as the 13th-best team in Africa.

Playing in their first-ever FIFA World Cup, the Atlantic archipelago of 10 islands has already made history by becoming the smallest nation to reach the knockout stages.

Cape Verde opened their campaign with a remarkable goalless draw against Spain, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha emerging as the hero, before holding two-time world champions Uruguay to a 2-2 draw.

They then secured another goalless draw against Saudi Arabia on Saturday to finish runners-up in Group H after Spain defeated Uruguay.

The reward is a meeting with Lionel Messi's Argentina, with Cape Verde carrying a growing reputation for unsettling more fancied opponents.

"Cape Verde's team has 100% faith, 100% hope, and it would completely sweat out its jersey. So, we have a 100% chance to win against Argentina," Neves said.

"We went to this World Cup to write our own destiny, which is, facing champions.

"So, we are going to face Argentina and Messi with the same determination, same will, and with a desire to win and reach the next phase," he added.