Prior to this year’s World Cup, Africa had never had so many representatives in the tournament. The highest was six countries, but this year, 10 African countries made it to the FIFA World Cup, carrying the hopes of millions eager to see Africa win.
As the Round of 32 concluded, the picture was bittersweet. Out of the nine African nations that reached the knockout stage, only Egypt and Morocco remain standing after penalty-shootout victories over Australia and the Netherlands, respectively. The seven others, including Senegal, DR Congo, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria, Ghana, and Cabo Verde, saw their World Cup journeys come to an end. Tunisia had been eliminated earlier, as they didn’t qualify for the round of 32.
South Africa was the first African country to bow out in the knockout stage after a late 1-0 loss to Canada, followed by Côte d’Ivoire, who suffered a 2-1 defeat to Norway, and then DR Congo, who battled England before falling 2-1.
Senegal pushed Belgium to extra time before losing 3-2. Algeria was the fifth African country to be eliminated at the Round of 32 after a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland, followed by World Cup debutants Cape Verde, who were knocked out by defending champions Argentina 3-2 in extra time, and then Ghana, who suffered a one-goal defeat to Colombia.
The most respectable moment of this World Cup so far was made by Cabo Verde; despite it being their first World Cup, they wowed the whole world.
On paper, Argentina’s 3-2 extra-time victory over the Blue Sharks sends the South Americans into the Round of 16 and the island nation home.
In reality, the match announced Cabo Verde to the football world. Against the defending world champions, few didn’t expect much from Cabo Verde, but they delivered one of the tournament’s most courageous performances, refusing to be overwhelmed by a team stacked with elite talent and global experience.
For more than 120 minutes, Argentina had to earn every inch of the pitch, as every minute was a battle and every attack was contested. By the final whistle, Argentina had progressed to the round of 16 but only after surviving one of the toughest tests of their campaign.
Cabo Verde’s goalkeeper Vozinha made a lot of outstanding saves that denied Argentina opportunities and kept his team alive throughout the match.
Players Deroy Duarte and Sydney Lopes Cabral also wrote themselves into their country’s football history.
Scoring against the reigning world champions on football’s biggest stage is an achievement few players ever experience.
The coach, Pedro Leitão Brito, also deserves credit for assembling one of the tournament’s most disciplined and fearless teams.
While Cabo Verde earned admiration, Egypt and Morocco earned progression.
Egypt survived a tense match against Australia before prevailing in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. They defeated Australia 4-2 on penalties.
It is the first time the Pharaohs will make it to the round of 16.
Morocco showed why they remain one of the world’s most difficult teams to beat, eliminating the Netherlands on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Morocco and Egypt now carry the hopes of an entire continent into the Round of 16.
