With history beckoning, Cabo Verde coach head Bubista changed half his starting side, some of it enforced, but retained his hero goalkeeper Vozinha.

The 40-year-old stopper single-handedly kept Cabo Verde in it as they held out for a famous point against European champions Spain in their first-ever FIFA World Cup match.

Cabo Verde, which is off the west coast of Africa, then claimed a brave 2-2 draw with two-time former champions Uruguay.

That gave them a scarcely believable shot at the knockout rounds coming into the encounter against Saudi Arabia, who themselves were still alive.

At the same time, in Guadalajara, Spain and Uruguay met as an unexpectedly tight group went down to the wire.

Cabo Verde had slightly the better of the first half in Houston against a Saudi side who drew 1-1 with Uruguay before being beaten 4-0 by Spain.

The Saudis suffered a blow in the 33rd minute when experienced defender Hassan al-Tambakti was stretchered off injured.

Spain took the lead towards the end of the first half in Mexico, the news greeted by cheers by Cabo Verde fans in Houston.

Willy Semedo fired not too far wide of the Saudi post but neither side seriously threatened in a tense first half.

At that point Cabo Verde were going through at Uruguay's expense.

Three minutes after the break Jamiro Monteiro had a major chance from close range but his finish was weak, then Kevin Pina had an effort from distance that whistled just off target.

The tension went up a notch as they entered the final quarter, but Saudi Arabia were strangely lacking in invention even though they were chasing the game.

In the 75th minute goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais kept them in it with a vital stop from Laros Duarte.

A point was enough for Cabo Verde, but if anything, they were the more likely to score as the match ticked into the dying minutes.