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Cape Verde — the half-million-person miracle
A volcanic island chain of ~500,000 people, making its first-ever World Cup, walked out against reigning European champions Spain. This is the purest Cinderella story of the group stage — the kind of David-vs-Goliath that converts non-fans into believers.
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Held Spain to a stunning 0-0 (June 15). Spain had ~27 shots; 40-year-old keeper Vozinha and a wall of bodies kept the clean sheet. Cape Verde became just the 7th team ever to avoid defeat on its World Cup debut. Coach: 'It means everything for our country.'