The full-back, who plays for Turkish club Trabzonspor, produced one of the tournament's most sublime moments in Miami on July 4 when, after gliding past Alexis Mac Allister, he curled a magnificent effort beyond Emiliano Martínez and into the top corner to level the match at 2-2 in extra time.

"They did it with bravery and never did we lose our identity."

His comments come ahead of Saturday's last-32 clash against Argentina in Miami.

In a tournament that began with the public questioning the wisdom of expanding to 48 teams, Cape Verde's success will leave many wondering what took so long.

The Blue Sharks went a long way to proving their point when, making their World Cup debut, they put together a brilliant defensive display to hold European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw on Monday.

Spain failed to find a way past inspired Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha as the 40-year-old secured a stunning 0-0 draw for the World Cup debutants and was reduced to tears at his heroics.