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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Phil Blanche

Roberto Lopes savours week to remember after reaching World Cup with Cape Verde

Roberto Lopes Roberto Pico Lopes World Cup Cape Verde Carlos Eswatini Shamrock Rovers Football
Cape Verde fans celebrate beating Eswatini to qualify for the 2026 World Cup (Cristiano Barbosa/AP) - (AP)

Cape Verde’s Dublin-born Roberto Lopes described the “surreal” feeling of reaching the World Cup as he headed home to Ireland to become a father for the first time.

Shamrock Rovers defender Lopes helped Cape Verde – an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean off Africa’s west coast, with a population of just under 525,000 – became the second-smallest nation to reach the World Cup after beating Eswatini 3-0 at home on Monday.

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