Cape Verde defender Diney Borges has warned that Saudi Arabia will be a dangerous opponent in Saturday's decisive Group H match, describing the Green Falcons as a 'wounded' team determined to prove their quality after a disappointing start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Group H Wide Open as All Four Teams Eye Knockout Stage
Heading into the final round of group matches, all four sides in Group H — Cape Verde, Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia — can still qualify for the Round of 32. Cape Verde, making their World Cup debut, have been the tournament's surprise package, holding Spain to a 0-0 draw and then drawing 2-2 with Uruguay. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, lost 2-0 to Uruguay and drew 0-0 with Spain, leaving them with one point.
Borges, who plays club football for Al-Bataeh in the UAE, told Arab News in an exclusive interview: “It would be a mistake to expect a weak team after their match against Spain. On the contrary, they will come into the game wounded and determined to show that they have more quality than they displayed against Spain.”
Cape Verde's Defensive Resilience Tested
The Blue Sharks have conceded just two goals in two matches, with Borges playing a key role in keeping stars like Lamine Yamal and Federico Valverde off the scoresheet. The match against Saudi Arabia will be played at Houston Stadium, which has witnessed more goals than any other venue at this World Cup. Borges acknowledged the quality of the Saudi side, saying: “Saudi Arabia has a very talented starting 11. I know some of the players. Technically, they are becoming more and more developed; they are quick, intense, and will certainly be motivated to become the first team to beat us at this World Cup.”
He emphasized that Cape Verde's strength lies in their unity: “We are aware of that and know that we can only overcome them if we continue to be a true family, as we have been so far.”
Borges on Gulf Football's Rise
Having spent three seasons in the UAE, Borges has observed the rapid growth of football in the Gulf region. He noted that the transformation of the Saudi Pro League, sparked by Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival, has raised the standard of the national team. “We know that Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival was extremely important in helping change perceptions and encouraging other players to join the league,” Borges said. “After that, there was a complete transformation. Many top players, still performing at a very high level, moved there, making the league more attractive and competitive.”
He added that the influx of elite foreign talent has accelerated the development of local players: “The league is followed by millions of people thanks to the stars who play there, and all of this has helped raise the level of the country's own players, because they also want to keep up with their teammates and opponents. The league has enormous potential to continue growing over the coming years.”
Cape Verde Aim to Emulate Saudi Arabia's 1994 Feat
If Cape Verde advance, they will match the achievement of Saudi Arabia's 1994 team, which reached the Round of 16 on its World Cup debut. Borges said: “We have played two matches and achieved two very good results. One of our objectives, to be competitive and stay true to ourselves and our identity, can be considered accomplished. Beyond that, I feel that, through everything we have already achieved, we have put Cape Verde on the map.”
Looking ahead to Saturday's clash, Borges called it a “big final” and stressed the need for focus: “Our opponent is very strong, and it will be a match that either team can win. We feel confident and believe in ourselves, but we must keep our feet on the ground and try to reproduce the same intensity, the same joy, and the same desire to compete. We have to give everything, and I am certain that we will.”
