Cabo Verde is an example for other small nations to follow, said defender Pico Lopes, after the Atlantic island side came close to pulling off one of the greatest upsets in FIFA World Cup history against Argentina on Friday in Miami.

Defending champion Argentina needed a Diney Borges own-goal in the 111th minute to win the round of 32 showdown, capping a strength-sapping extra-time thriller.

A tiny archipelago of just over 500,000 people off the west coast of Africa, Cabo Verde held Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to draws in the group stage to mark its first-ever appearance at the World Cup.

"What we achieved, we wanted to show what was possible for small nations. With big hearts, that you can believe, and dream anything is possible," the Ireland-born Lopes told reporters.

"I hope this team here now has inspired some young Cabo Verdeans to be here next. We show what's possible. We show what you can do when you get to this stage and meet some of the best teams in the world."

Goalkeeper Vozinha became one of the stars of the tournament after his Player of the Match performance against Spain in the historic opening game for the Blue Sharks.

"The World Cup means a lot to us, because it is something we have wanted for a long time. We qualified and realized the dream, not just for me or the national team, but for the entire people of Cabo Verde," said Vozinha, who is currently without a club.

"We are very proud of everything we have achieved. Obviously, we are disappointed with the result, because we wanted to advance to the next round," he added.

"We knew we were facing a very tough opponent, the world champions, but I want to acknowledge the entire federation and the whole team. My teammates were fantastic. They were incredible. We went out with our heads held high."

Argentina had cruised through the group stage and another routine victory seemed to be on the cards after the first half-hour. But Cabo Verde refused to lie down, twice hauling itself back onto level pegging.

Deroy Duarte's strike just before the hour mark wiped out a 1-0 deficit and ultimately forced extra time. Lisandro Martinez restored Argentina's lead early in extra time, but a stunning strike 11 minutes later from Sidny Lopes Cabral had the African side dreaming again, before Borges turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Cristian Romero.

Nonetheless, Lopes is pleased that the team put Cabo Verde on the map over the past few weeks.

"When we qualified for the World Cup, we wanted to go and show that we belong here. I think our performances over the group stage and tonight showed that we can compete with some of the best teams in the world," he noted.

"One of the pleasing things that has come out of this World Cup is that nobody has to ask what Cabo Verde is. They know where we are on the map. They know what we're like as a team. I think for all Cabo Verdeans around the world who are inspired to be footballers, we've shown them the way today."