Hard Rock Stadium in Miami fell silent when the referee blew the final whistle. Cape Verde had just fallen 3-2 to Argentina, in extra time, after fighting as if the score didn’t matter. And amid all the hugs and tears, one scene stole the show.
Nuno Da Costa, a Cape Verdean forward, went up to the stands and couldn’t hold back his tears. There was his son, waiting for him.
The boy hugged him tightly, even though he was crying too, and wouldn’t let go. No words were needed: just that small gesture of a son holding up his father in the hardest moment.
Cape Verde leaves the 2026 World Cup with its head held high and with this image that no one will forget. Sometimes football hurts more because of what is seen off the pitch than because of the result on it 🇨🇻🥹
Video:
O pequeno torcedor de Cabo Verde se chama Lewis e é filho de Nuno da Costa, atacante cabo-verdiano https://t.co/PMgGgwLA70 pic.twitter.com/8850yi6pDU
— Jeff Nascimento (@jnascim) July 4, 2026