Lopes asks for focus as Cape Verde move towards last 32

Roberto Lopes wants Cape Verde to fulfil their overall goal of qualifying for the knockout stages of the World Cup after another brilliant performance against Uruguay on Sunday.

The Shamrock Rovers defender looked at home at the level once again as his side came from behind to rescue a point, having at one stage led against the South American side.

A draw with Saudi Arabia may be good enough to reach the last 32 as one of the best-performing third-place finishers.

But if Spain were to beat Uruguay, Cape Verde would finish second in Group H by avoiding defeat and guarantee going through.

Speaking to reporters after the game, the 32-year-old said it was no fluke to be unbeaten in their group, having qualified for the World Cup with a similarly strong mentality.

Now the knockout stages are in sight.

"That was our goal," the Dublin-born player said.

"We got here on merit. You don't win a prize to get to the World Cup. You have to compete, you have to qualify and it's difficult to get here.

"And now you're mixing it with some of the best teams in the world. And our goal was first and foremost was just to attack the first game and show that we belong here. Nothing changed for the second one tonight.

"We wanted to try and get three points. We got a point. It's another point to where we want to be.

"And we're in the same position. We've got a good opportunity of reaching the next phase, which would be amazing for our group. It's something that we wanted.

"It was part of our goals, just to show that we deserve to be at this level."

Lopes rued the closing stages of the first period in which the islanders conceded two goals.

They were the only two shots on target in the match for Uruguay, who struggled to break down their opponents.

Lopes explained: "I thought for the majority of the first half, we played quite well and had good organisation. And then the last five minutes, we lost that. We switched off and they punished us.

"We knew what they were looking for. They get lots of people into the box, good quality crosses and we got punished. But it was just about regrouping.

"What happened, happened. And I thought we showed great character in the second half to come together, get an equaliser and see the game out.

"It was a good draw. But the next game is very important."

Should Cape Verde get through, there is a chance of facing the likes of Argentina, particularly if it's a third-place finish.

Lionel Messi and his team-mates are hoping to seal top spot in their group this evening.

But Lopes does not want to look ahead to such a scenario, putting the emphasis on Saudi Arabia and finishing in second place.

"We won't get too far ahead of who will be playing. We have to respect Saudi Arabia. They're a really strong team.

"And we have to try and win the game. And that has to be the goal.

"We know what happens if we win.

"If we win, we're in the next round. It doesn't matter what position you finish in the group. Once you're there, that's the main thing. It's one game at a time."

Lopes was asked by an NBC reporter if he was aware of the growing interest in Cape Verde and the much-told background of his call-up to the side, through a LinkedIn message.

"It's a crazy story," he admitted.

"I'm sure everyone's heard it by now. Look, I never thought that was the way, that it was the route to international football.

"But it just goes to show that it can happen. This is the stuff of dreams. When I received the message and I answered it and I got called up, did I think we could make a World Cup? Probably not.

"Did I think we'd be at a World Cup? Probably not. But as I grew into the team and I got to know everybody, I saw the quality of the squad, I knew we were capable of doing great things. It started with an AFCON where we showed that we could compete with the best teams in Africa.

"And then the next stage had to be the World Cup. We believed, we dreamt and we achieved. We're looking to do some more now."

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