Thousands welcome home Cape Verde footballers after stunning World Cup run
Cape Verde came into the World Cup ranked 67th in the world, but three group-stage draws - including holding European champions Spain 0-0 in their opening game - set up the monumental task of trying to cause one of the biggest upsets the World Cup has ever seen.
One supporter told the BBC she attended the homecoming in order to show her gratitude to the Blue Sharks, who represented the World Cup's second-smallest nation and had never played in the tournament before, yet held their own against giants like Spain and Uruguay.
Pico Lopes, 33, played a starring role in Cape Verde's World Cup matchesFans at the airport screamed Vozinha's name, as well as those of other stars, such as centre-back Pico Lopes.
