local
The World Cup game that no one wants to win
By CNN at KVIA ABC-7
· June 27, 2026
· 12 min read
CNN
By Ben Church, CNN
(CNN) — Well, this World Cup has found its Cinderella.
Tiny Cape Verde, which shocked the soccer world by drawing with Spain in its first World Cup match, is through to the knockout rounds after drawing with Saudi Arabia in Houston and Spain’s defeat of Uruguay on Fri...
Key takeaway It’s a truly incredible result and sets up one of the most unbelievable matchups possible in the Round of 32: The underdogs will take on the reigning world champions Argentina and all-time superstar Lionel Messi.
Why this matters in The El Paso
El Paso soccer fans are likely to be intrigued by the unusual scenario unfolding in the World Cup, where teams may strategically prefer not to win in order to secure a more favorable matchup in the next round. This phenomenon highlights the complexities of tournament play, where the stakes of each game can extend far beyond the immediate outcome. As the city's own soccer enthusiasts watch the World Cup with interest, they may be reminded of similar strategic calculations that can arise in local and regional competitions. The fact that tiny Cape Verde has made it to the knockout rounds, and will face off against powerhouse Argentina, adds an extra layer of excitement to the tournament, and El Paso fans will be watching with bated breath to see how this David-vs-Goliath matchup plays out.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 27, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 12 min
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What is this story about? CNN
By Ben Church, CNN
(CNN) — Well, this World Cup has found its Cinderella.
Tiny Cape Verde, which shocked the soccer world by drawing with Spain in its first World Cup match, is through to the knockout rounds after drawing with Saudi Arabia in Houston and Spain’s defeat of Uruguay on Fri...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 27, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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