HOUSTON, June 27, (V7N) – World Cup debutants Cape Verde extended their fairytale journey by drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia on Friday, securing second place in Group H behind Spain and setting up a knockout-round meeting with reigning champions Argentina.

The stalemate in Houston, combined with Spain's 1-0 win over Uruguay, meant the archipelago nation of just over 500,000 (ranked 67th coming into the tournament) finished as group runners-up with three points. They will face Lionel Messi's Argentina in Miami on July 3 in another remarkable chapter to their story. Spain topped the group with seven points, while Uruguay and Saudi Arabia both went home with two points.

Cape Verde coach Bubista made several changes to his starting side, some enforced, but retained 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha—who had single-handedly kept his team in it during their famous draw against European champions Spain in their first-ever World Cup match. Cape Verde had earlier claimed a brave 2-2 draw with two-time former champions Uruguay, giving them a scarcely believable shot at the knockout rounds going into the Saudi clash.

Cape Verde had slightly the better of the first half, with Saudi Arabia suffering a blow when experienced defender Hassan al-Tambakti was stretchered off injured in the 33rd minute. Willy Semedo fired not far wide of the Saudi post, but neither side seriously threatened in a tense first half. After the break, Jamiro Monteiro had a major chance from close range but his finish was weak, and Kevin Pina's long-range effort whistled just off target. Saudi Arabia lacked invention even as they chased the game, and goalkeeper Mohammed al-Owais kept them in it with a vital stop from Laros Duarte in the 75th minute. A point was enough for Cape Verde, who looked the more likely to score as the match ticked into the dying minutes.

Ousmane Dembele scored a first-half hat-trick as France powered past Norway 4-1 to clinch top spot in World Cup Group I, while Senegal kept their last-32 hopes alive with a thumping 5-0 victory over Iraq.

The reigning Ballon d'Or winner struck in the 7th, 20th, and 32nd minutes at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, maintaining France's 100% start with another dazzling attacking display. The much-anticipated duel between Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland never materialized after Norway left Haaland on the bench. Norway threatened a comeback when Thelo Aasgaard scored after 21 minutes, but Dembele's third restored France's two-goal cushion, and Jorgen Strand Larsen missed a penalty in the 50th minute. Desire Doue added France's fourth in stoppage time.

Dembele later downplayed his hat-trick, saying, "It's a unique and important moment for me but I preferred my performances against Senegal or Iraq. I think I was much more influential in those games. We need to stay focused because there are important things ahead." The match went ahead without coach Didier Deschamps, who left the team following his mother's death. Both teams paid tribute to Venezuela earthquake victims with a moment of silence.

France will face one of the eight best third-placed teams in the last 32, while Norway take on Ivory Coast in Dallas on June 30. Senegal, with three points after their 5-0 drubbing of Iraq, must wait for other results to see if they squeeze into the knockouts. "Our future is no longer in our own hands," said coach Pape Thiaw. "But we got the job done."

Other Group Action

In other games, Spain faced Uruguay in Guadalajara aiming to clinch top spot in Group H, while Cape Verde's draw had already secured their historic progression. In Group G, Egypt faced Iran in Seattle in a match designated as a "Pride Match" that drew objections from Iranian and Egyptian officials due to laws against homosexuality in both countries. Belgium's ageing squad, featuring Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, faced New Zealand in the other Group G fixture.

END/WSP/RH/