The Blue Sharks of Cape Verde have continued shocking the footballing world, as they made history on Saturday, by becoming the first debutants and the smallest country by population, to ever qualify for the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup.

Their round of 32 qualification was sealed when they played a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia, at the NRG Stadium, in Houston, Texas, United States of America, to finish second in Group H with three points.

Cape Verde’s qualification was also made possible after they shocked 2010 champions Spain to a goalless draw, and two-time champions Uruguay, to a 2-2 draw, in their first two group matches to finish the group undefeated.

So far in the tournament, the small island nation from the west coast of Africa, with a population of 525,000 inhabitants, is the only team to finish second in a group with three point, and also qualify for the knockout stage with the least number of points, and without winning a match.

Cape Verde now joins five other team in World Cup history to qualify for the knockout rounds without winning a single match, and progressing by drawing each of their group matches. They are: Wales in 1958; Italy in 1982, and surprisingly went on to win the tournament; Republic of Ireland and The Netherlands in 1990; including Chile in 1998.

The group’s other final fixture, played at the Estadio Akron, Zapopan, same time, Mexico, witnessed Spain pip Uruguay to a lone goal scored by Álex Baena in the 42nd minute, to seal top spot with seven points, and knock out qualification.

Third placed Uruguay and bottom placed Saudi Arabia who finished the group with two points apiece, have crashed out of the tournament.