HOUSTON : Cape Verde's coach said their World Cup exploits had "shown our country to the world" after setting up a last-32 meeting with Lionel Messi's reigning champions Argentina on Friday.

The third-smallest team by population in the history of the competition drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia in Houston to finish runners-up in their group.

That sent them into an encounter against the mighty Argentina on July 3 in Miami.

"To us, nothing is impossible," said Cape Verde's coach Bubista, who came into the press conference wrapped in his country's flag.

"Ourselves and the people of Cape Verde have to be proud of what the team has done," added the coach, who goes by one name.

Cape Verde, an archipelago off the west of Africa, has a population of just over 500,000, many of whom stayed up late into the night to watch the game back home.

"First of all, we are proud to be able to play Argentina," said Bubista, whose side are ranked 67th and drew all three of their group games.

That included a stunning 0-0 draw with European champions Spain in their first-ever World Cup match.

"Of course, for our team, for the players and for all our people, it is a reason to be joyful," he said.

"From the very beginning, we've said that one of the purposes we had was to show our country to the rest of the world.

"And to be able to play Argentina and Messi in a phase like this is excellent for our country, regardless of the match itself."

Bubista said that other so-called minnows should take inspiration from what his men had achieved against all expectations.

"Of course we represent our country, but we also represent Africa. And beyond that, we represent the small countries around the world," he said.

"And this is our mission. We are an example that shows that if you work with focus and determination, sooner or later you will arrive at your goal."