Cabo Verde completed an improbable run through the group stage with a third straight World Cup draw to become the smallest country to earn a spot in the knockout round following a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia in Houston on Friday night.

The small island nation off the western coast of Africa, who are making their debut on football’s grandest stage, had already held 2010 champions Spain to a 0-0 draw and then came from behind to get a 2-2 result against Uruguay.

Cabo Verde’s three points put the team in second place in Group H, and their reward is a game against defending champions Argentina in Miami on July 3.

Spain, meanwhile, beat defeated Uruguay 1-0 to clinch first place in the group. Alex Baena’s 42nd-minute strike settled an attritional battle in Spain’s favour in Guadalajara that condemned the Uruguayans to an early exit.

More to follow...