Cape Verde's World Cup success isn't just for them...

According to ESPN's Bill Connelly, Cape Verde has advanced to the World Cup knockout stage—a milestone that speaks to something far larger than one nation's victory. While the world's biggest soccer nations compete for the trophy, it's the smaller nations like Cape Verde that give the World Cup its soul. Their success reminds us that this tournament isn't just about crowning a champion; it's about countries proving they belong on football's biggest stage. Cape Verde's presence in the knockouts is a heartening reminder that the World Cup belongs to all of soccer, not just the powerhouses.

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