Valdano warns Argentina and Colombia not to underestimate Cape Verde
Valdano said Argentina had not taken any rival lightly, but Cabo Verde’s 0-0 with Spain showed why debutants can no longer be dismissed as curiosities.
Jorge Valdano said Argentina had not underestimated any opponent at this World Cup, then pointed to Cabo Verde as the clearest example of why smaller sides now demand full respect. The debutant held Spain to a 0-0 draw in Atlanta on June 15, a result FIFA called extraordinary for a nation of just over 500,000 people.
The draw quickly became one of the tournament’s defining shocks. ESPN described Cabo Verde as the third-smallest country ever to qualify for a World Cup, and Vozinha emerged as one of the match’s standout performers in goal. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente had already flagged the danger before kickoff, warning that Cabo Verde could be one of the competition’s surprise teams.
Valdano made the same competitive warning apply to Colombia, saying a strong performance from Luis Díaz could give the side the edge. FIFA has framed Díaz as Colombia’s leading figure for the tournament after a sensational season with Bayern Munich, while James Rodríguez remains the captain and Colombia’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup play.
Valdano also praised Argentina’s form and Lionel Messi’s moment, but his broader point was about seriousness rather than reputation. Cabo Verde’s debut has already shown that a World Cup newcomer can organize well enough to neutralize a heavyweight, and that no top side can assume an easier night because of a smaller flag or a shorter football history. For Argentina and Colombia, the warning was direct: respect the opponent before the opponent turns a match into proof.
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