World Cup joy for Cabo Verde as stalemate with the Saudis sees them through to knockout stages

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia exited the World Cup at the group stage for the third tournament in a row, after a goalless draw with Cabo Verde at Houston Stadium on Friday.

For their African opponents, it was a historic evening as they progressed to the knockout stages at the first finals they have ever qualified for.

Cabo Verde came into the match sitting third in Group H with two points, while Saudi Arabia were bottom with only one. Both teams still had a chance to at least end up as one of the third-placed teams that might progress to the Round of 32; only a win would suffice for Green Falcons while the Africans knew they could potentially progress with draw.

In the end, the 0-0 result left Saudi Arabia still bottom of the group on two points while Cabo Verde moved up to second place with three points, after a 1-0 loss to group winners Spain doomed Uruguay, with just two points, to third and elimination.

In their previous match the Saudis had been outclassed in a 4-0 loss to Spain, but this time coach Georgis Donis set up his team in a more attacking formation. The burden of finding goals once again fell on Salem Al-Dawsari and Feras Al-Buraikan, but with Mohammed Kanno playing in a more advanced midfield role.

A yellow card after only three minutes left defender Saud Abdulhamid at risk of a red for almost the entirety of the match, but he and his Saudi teammates continued to swarm Cabo Verde in the early stages. A high press was clearly the coach’s way of attempting to start on the front foot in an encounter they had to win.

The first opportunity of the match did indeed fall to the Saudis but Al-Dawsari’s left-footed strike was blocked and rebounded to safety.

The match was being played at a frantic pace, and Saudi