Cape Verde crush Serbia 3-0 in impressive friendly victory in Lisbon

Cape Verde underlined their growing confidence with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Serbia in an international friendly at Lisbon’s Estádio do Restelo.

The Blue Sharks produced an accomplished performance from start to finish, combining defensive discipline with attacking efficiency to overcome a Serbian side that struggled to recover after an early setback.

From the opening exchanges, Cape Verde imposed themselves on the contest and quickly established control of the match. Their positive approach was rewarded in the 11th minute when midfielder Kévin Pina opened the scoring, giving his side a deserved lead after a strong start.

The goal set the tone for the remainder of the encounter, with Cape Verde continuing to dictate the rhythm of the game while limiting Serbia’s opportunities to respond.

Although the visitors attempted to regain their footing, they found it difficult to break through a well-organised Cape Verde defence. The Blue Sharks remained composed and carried their advantage into the interval.

After the restart, the Cape Verdeans raised their level once again and took firm control of proceedings.

Their pressure paid off in the 59th minute when Leroy Duarte doubled the lead, putting daylight between the two sides and leaving Serbia with a mountain to climb.

Just four minutes later, Cape Verde delivered the decisive blow. Forward Gilson Benchimol found the net in the 63rd minute to complete a devastating spell and effectively put the result beyond doubt.

The three goals reflected Cape Verde’s dominance throughout the match and highlighted the efficiency of a team that took full advantage of its opportunities.

For the Blue Sharks, the result represents a significant boost as preparations continue on the international stage. The performance demonstrated both collective organisation and attacking quality against European opposition.

The victory also serves as an encouraging sign for coach Bubista and his players, who will take confidence from the manner in which they controlled large portions of the contest.

Serbia, meanwhile, endured a difficult afternoon in Lisbon. Unable to recover after conceding early, they struggled to find solutions against a disciplined opponent and were ultimately punished by Cape Verde’s clinical finishing.

As the final whistle sounded, it was Cape Verde who emerged with a memorable victory, having produced one of their most convincing performances in recent international competition.