DILI, 24 July 2025 (TATOLI) – Cape Verde defeated Portugal 2–0 in an impressive performance at the CPLP Games on Thursday night at Dili Stadium.
António dos Reis opened the scoring with a header in the 38th minute, capitalizing on a misjudgment by the Portuguese goalkeeper. Substitute Wesley Ébora extended the lead in the 79th minute with another well-placed header, securing a crucial victory for Cape Verde.
With two wins in two matches and six points, Cape Verde now stands out as one of the strongest contenders in the 2025 CPLP Games.
Cape Verde’s solid defensive organization and sharp finishing proved decisive, as they capitalized on key chances and dictated the pace of the game.
Portugal showed signs of improvement in the second half following key substitutions. They created several promising chances and registered multiple shots on target but were unable to convert any into goals.
After the match, Cape Verdean midfielder Guilherme Miranda praised his team’s effort and unity: “We worked hard for this result. It’s a great honor to represent Cape Verde. We had 100 percent confidence in each other, and I’m grateful to all the players for their trust.”
Looking ahead to the final, Miranda expressed confidence in the team’s preparation: “We’re going to win — and always win,” he said.
Portugal will face Timor-Leste in the third-place playoff, set for Saturday, 26 July, at 1:00 p.m. at Becora Field.
Meanwhile, Cape Verde, emerging as one of the strongest teams in the tournament, will face Angola once again in the final, scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on the same day at Dili Stadium.
TATOLI
