Rovers fans ‘immensely proud’ of Cape Verde hero LopesImage source, GettyImage caption, Roberto Lopes produced a towering performance as Cape Verde held mighty Spain to a drawByRichard PetrieBBC Sport NI journalistPublished17 minutes agoThe central part played by a League of Ireland defender in Cape Verde’s stunning draw against one of the World Cup favourites on Monday led to the result being celebrated almost as much in Dublin as by the less than half a million inhabitants of the archipelagic country in the central Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa.Shamrock Rovers player Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes produced a commanding display in central defence as the World Cup debutants secured a deserved 0-0 draw with Spain, one of the pre-tournament favourites, in their Group H opener in Atlanta.
After playing a starring role in one of the biggest upsets in recent World Cup history, the 33-year-old stated “to get a point and a clean sheet in our first game in a World Cup against a team like Spain was amazing”.
“It’s a moment that we should be proud of and enjoy. It’s history for us,” he added.
The third-smallest country in terms of population to qualify for a World Cup, Cape Verde were 67th in Fifa’s just in rankings and many expected them to be swept aside by their second-ranked opponents.
The Spanish were however unable to find a way past inspired 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who kept them at bay with numerous fine saves and narrowly edged out Lopes in the BBC player ratings poll for player of the match.
