It all comes down to this.
Tonight, June 26, Cabo Verde's men's national team will play its third and final World cup group stage match. Hundreds are expected to pile into Campanelli Stadium in Brockton tonight to watch the decisive matchup.
The outcome will determine the team's chances of moving on to the Round of 32.
The team has already received national attention after holding Spain to a draw in their first game. They followed it up with a 2-2 draw against Uruguay June 21, where midfielder Kevin Pina scored Cabo Verde's first ever World Cup goal.
City officials have announced plans for increased security and safety measures for the watch party after post-game gatherings over the weekend turned violent, with multiple shootings reported and at least nine arrests.
Follow along through the night for live updates on the latest from downtown.
Brockton Cabo Verde fans rejoice as Cape Verde beats all odds
The game has come to an end. Cabo Verde ends its group stage run with three draws. With Spain defeating Uruguay, Cabo Verde has secured second place in its group and will move on to the Round of 32.
Anilton Rodrigues was pleased with the outcome, and he said he knew his team would take care of business.
“This is what we wanted,” he said. “Cape Verde is the third smallest country in the World Cup. It’s a blessing.”
Rodrigues said he wish the team came up with a goal, but ultimately, the night ends in a win regardless.“We should have made the chances (we had), but we’re just here for fun,” he said. “We didn’t even think we would be here.”
Fans are clearing out of Campanelli Stadium satiated after a fiery competition.
Cabo Verde’s team continues to etch its name in history, as its upcoming game will be its first appearance in the World Cup’s Round of 32. And the stakes only get higher - now, it’s win or go home.
Match ends in 0-0 tie, catapulting Cabo Verde to Round of 32
It’s over! With seconds left, Cabo Verde tries for another score, but misses by just a few feet. The team’s final group stage match ends in another draw. Meanwhile, Spain beat Uruguay, putting Cabo Verde in second place in Group H.
Time is running out for either side to score
Less than five minutes remain in regulation. Cabo Verde is stepping on the gas, making it down the field and attempting shots multiple times in the past few minutes. The crowd is rowdy, and tension is at a high.
'We can do anything': Scoreless match deep into second half
Going into the second half, the match remains scoreless.
Gio Andrade, Zelito Bavares and Keven Lopes were excited to see their team hold off Saudi Arabia in the first, but they said a more assertive offense is needed.
“What we’re doing now, (throughout) this game, is just work hard, press and score a goal,” Andrade said. “We just need (one) goal.”
“They told us we had a 1% chance to pass this group,” he added. “We need to show them who we are.”
Bavares said it’s wild that the team has been able to persevere and contend in its first-ever World Cup.
“We can do anything," he said.” “It’s crazy.”
Campanelli Stadium erupts with applause at Vozinha save
There was thunderous applause at Campanelli Stadium after 40-year-old Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha leapt for an impressive save during added time at the end of the first half.
Score 0-0 going into first break
At the first break, the score is 0-0.
Jovani Araujo, of Brockton, was draped in the Cabo Verdean flag at the watch party. He said his dad is originally from Cabo Verde, so it’s great to see the representation.
“Being in the World Cup is a big pride for us,” he said. “We’re a really small country, so (we’re) working hard and showing everybody that this is what dreams are made of.”
Araujo said going into the World Cup, he had no idea Cabo Verde would be eyeing such a deep run.“(It’s) a Cinderella story,” he said. “At first we were given like a 1% chance of winning against Spain.”
“A lot of people are recognizing Cape Verde for what they are,” he added. “Hardworking, thriving and grinding.”
Brockton fans excited as Cabo Verde vs. Saudi Arabia match gets underway
Things have kicked off in Campanelli Stadium, as an attentive crowd watches the first minutes of the game unfold.
Mbah Redeem Anjoh, 24, said he was thrilled to see Cabo Verde do so well in the World Cup so far.
“I’m so excited,” he said. “The atmosphere is important everywhere. It makes Brockton alive again.”
Anjoh said if he were to see Cabo Verde win tonight and move on to the next round, he’d be celebrating big.
“I would take off my shirt,” he said. “I’ll be so happy because that’s a dream for them.”
Anjoh said the nature of the perseverance of the team, like the goalkeeper finding his time to shine well into his career, is inspiring.
“It doesn’t matter how long it takes,” he said. “Keep doing what you’re doing.”
When is the Cabo Verde watch party at Campanelli Stadium?
The Brockton Rox are inviting fans to Campanelli Stadium for World Cup watch parties, featuring a giant video screen on the field and two additional viewing screens.
Tonight's Cabo Verde game against Saudi Arabia is scheduled for 8 p.m.
What food and drinks will be sold?
Concessions will be open selling food, snacks, beer, and beverages throughout the event, according to a written statement from the Brockton Rox.
How many tickets will be sold?
There will be a limit of 5,000 tickets sold. People will be able to buy them at the door. But officials recommend people buy tickets online in advance.
Cabo Verde midfielder lived in Brockton for a few years
On Sunday, June 21, Kevin Pina made history for Cabo Verde's men's national team, being the first player to ever score in the World Cup in the team's history during the team's game against Uruguay. Before he was a professional footballer, however, he was a Brocktonian.
Pina was born in Cabo Verde, but moved to the City of Champions when he was a teenager. Due to the absence of popularity of the sport in the United States compared to the rest of the world, the move essentially seemed to mean putting his dreams of going pro to rest.
But then, a fortuitous chance encounter changed the trajectory of his life.
"Former Cape Verde captain Carlos 'Caló' Morais saw something special in Kevin Pina and refused to let that dream die," Cape Verdean Beautiful People said in an Instagram post. "He convinced Kevin’s family to give football one more chance and encouraged him to return to Cape Verde to pursue the game he loved."
Temporary parking ban Friday
Brockton police announced on Facebook that a temporary parking ban will take effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 26, on both sides of Main Street between Belmont and Davids streets. The ban will remain in place until officially lifted by the traffic commissioner.
See the standings in Group H, Cabo Verde's World Cup group
Here's the rankings for Cabo Verde's World Cup group as of June 22, going into Friday's games, when Cape Verde will take on Saudi Arabia and Spain will take on Uruguay:
- Spain, 4 points
- Uruguay, 2 points
- Cabo Verde, 2 points
- Saudi Arabia, 1 point
How does the group stage of the World Cup work?
For the 2026 World Cup's group stage, the tournament's 48 teams have been split into 12, four-team groups. Each team will play its groupmates once and will earn three points in the group standings for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss.
When the round robin tournament is finished, the first- and second-place teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage. The eight best third-place teams across each group will also make it to the next round. The fourth-place teams will all be eliminated.
The top third-place teams will be determined by the following factors:
- Points
- Goal difference
- Goals scored
- Team conduct score
- FIFA world ranking
How could Cabo Verde qualify for the Round of 32?
Cabo Verde is still very much in the hunt. The team's fate will hinge not just on its own match with Saudi Arabia but the Spain vs. Uruguay contest happening at the same time.
If Cape Verde beats Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde will have 5 points, guaranteeing it at least a second place spot.
If Cape Verde ties Saudi Arabia, it will have 3 points, which would still put it in second place if Spain beats Uruguay outright.
If Cape Verde loses to Saudi Arabia, it will have just 2 points, which would put it in third place at best.
Source: Enterprise News
