Euphoric homecoming for Cape Verde after heroic World Cup defeat

Cape Verde’s World Cup homecoming turned euphoric after the Blue Sharks returned Sunday to celebrate a narrow defeat to Argentina in one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. Thousands of supporters welcomed the team at Praia airport, waving banners, as a parade was planned through the streets of the capital. The squad then met with the president and other government members, and the return coincided with Cape Verde’s independence day. In the last-32 match in Miami, Cape Verde pushed reigning world champions Argentina to extra time but lost 3-2. Cape Verde progressed to the knockout stage at its first World Cup, and the celebrations continued in Praia into the early hours of Saturday. The country, which has about 500,000 people, marked its 51st anniversary of independence from Portugal, after 500 years of rule.