Al Ain International Cup: Cape Verde fall to Iran in penalty shootout after stalemate

Cape Verde were narrowly defeated by Iran in a dramatic penalty shootout on Thursday during the semi-finals of the Al Ain International Cup, a friendly tournament held in the United Arab Emirates.

After a tense 90 minutes in which neither side could break the deadlock, the match was decided from the spot, with Iran edging the Blue Sharks 5-4.

The Cape Verde squad, appearing in their first-ever World Cup campaign, held their own against a seasoned Iranian side making its fourth consecutive World Cup appearance.

Despite the stalemate during regular time, key contributions from players such as goalkeeper Vozinha, defenders Stopira and Ryan Mendes, and forward Dailon Livramento highlighted the team’s growing competitiveness on the international stage.

However, the decisive moment came when Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand saved the crucial penalty, securing victory for Iran.

Supporters from both nations expressed mixed feelings following the encounter, acknowledging the defensive discipline on display but lamenting the lack of offensive breakthroughs.

While Cape Verde demonstrated resilience, their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities exposed areas that will need addressing ahead of global competitions.

The team has yet to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, meaning their focus now shifts to preparation for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

Cape Verde will now contest a third-place match against the loser of the second semi-final, which will take place on Friday between Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, and Uzbekistan.

All four teams in the tournament—Cape Verde, Iran, Egypt, and Uzbekistan—have secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

This edition will expand to 48 teams, with nine confirmed African participants and a potential tenth spot to be decided through intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March 2026.

Despite the disappointment, Cape Verde’s performance offers encouragement.

“We competed well against a very experienced opponent, a team spokesperson said. There are lessons to take from this match, and the players are motivated to improve before the World Cup.”

The Blue Sharks’ campaign in the Al Ain International Cup serves as a critical testing ground, allowing the squad to integrate tactical adjustments and assess individual performances against top-level opposition.

While the result was not in their favor, Cape Verde’s showing against an established World Cup participant like Iran underscores their readiness to compete at the highest level.