Beijing time (CEST) June 22 — After leading his team to a 2-2 draw with Uruguay, Cape Verde coach Bubista gave an interview.

Good evening. I want to say that Brazil greatly admires your team, especially goalkeeper Vozinha. My question is, did you anticipate such a performance? Also, how far do you think Cape Verde can go in this FIFA World Cup? Thank you.

Bubista: Thank you for the compliment. We said from the start that our goal is to compete at the highest level possible. We've tried to do that in these three matches.

For us, it's more important to show our team identity — our unity, our strength, and our resilience — than the results.

Regarding your second question, we came here to compete and also to pursue a new dream — to advance to the next round. I think it's completely reasonable to think this way, because the team itself also has this belief.

Of course, we respect all our opponents and are aware of their strength, but we also want to make one thing clear: we will do our best to qualify.

Cape Verde has become a surprise team, and fans consider this a historic moment. If they win again, they could even finish first in the group. Does the team need to adjust its mentality? Should they remain humble, or fight like a "small team challenging giants"?

Coach Bubista: We need to maintain this mindset.

We've already faced two world-class teams and performed well, so we have reason to believe we can compete for qualification. Looking at the standings, we also have a realistic chance to fight for qualification.

But we also know that every team in this group has a chance to advance. The upcoming matches will be very difficult.

We'll take it one match at a time. The whole team is now full of confidence, desire, and belief, but at the same time, we must shoulder the responsibility of "fighting for qualification."

You've emphasized "one match at a time." With only one match remaining, are you starting to believe you can qualify? How do you assess your team's resilience?

Coach Bubista: From the first match, we understood that regardless of today's result, we have a chance to compete for qualification.

Therefore, from the start, we wanted to show the world that we have the ability to fight for qualification.

Today's match was very difficult. The opponent had strong physical confrontation, high speed, and individual technical ability. But precisely because of this, such matches can strengthen us further. Now our goal is very clear: we must strive to advance to the next round.

The next match is against Saudi Arabia, who performed well against Spain previously. Are you worried that players might become complacent and think this is a relatively easy match?

Coach Bubista: No, I don't think we have any advantage at all. We greatly respect the Saudi team and are aware of their strength. They also have a chance to qualify. We must stay grounded — this will remain a very difficult match.

Although we've already played against Spain and Uruguay, we cannot assume we have an advantage because of that. Instead, we must approach this match with the right attitude, maintaining respect and complete focus.

At the same time, we also hope to show the world what Cape Verde is through this team — not just football, but also our culture, music, and the enthusiasm of our fans.

We hope the world will come to know Cape Verde through this team.

More and more teams participating in the FIFA World Cup for the first time or ranked lower are defeating strong teams. How do you see this phenomenon?

Coach Bubista: This is not just Cape Verde's story, but also the story of all of Africa and all small nations.

We have proven a truth: a country can be small and have limited resources, but as long as there is resilience, discipline, and teamwork, it can compete with world powers. This is not just the meaning of football, but also a spirit.

On the pitch, many conditions are actually equal. Even if your opponent is one of the strongest teams in the world, as long as you are organized, brave, and determined, you have a chance to compete.

We hope that through football, we can also show the world: no matter how many difficulties you face, as long as you hold onto your dreams, it is possible to achieve them.

Cape Verde is the first team in history to remain unbeaten in two consecutive matches against two FIFA World Cup champions. How do you evaluate this record? Also, you once coached at Badajoz — can you tell us about that experience?

Coach Bubista: First of all, this experience is very satisfying and makes me very proud.

To face two world champions and remain unbeaten itself shows the team's effort and growth.

But for us, what matters more than the results is how we play — whether we are organized, whether we compete fairly, whether we maintain sportsmanship. I also want to use this opportunity to send my regards to Badajoz club and everyone there. They were very kind to me, and that experience was very meaningful to me.

We saw you interact with Bielsa on the pitch. What gift did you give him? Why?

Coach Bubista: For me, Bielsa is an expert coach and a role model for many coaches in Africa and South America.

We have long studied his coaching philosophy.

I gave him a souvenir from Cape Verde as a memento.

We exchanged a few words. I expressed my joy at being able to play against him, and he congratulated our team and wished us luck in the future.

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