Image source, Getty Images

Cape Verde coach Bubista said the team’s ambitions to reach the last 32 were now "legitimate" after the results against Spain and Uruguay, but said it was wrong to consider Saudi Arabia an easier proposition than their first two."We need to be respectful and face this match with the required seriousness and sportsmanship," he said.

"We’re here to show our country to the entire world. It’s not just about how we play football, it’s about our culture, our history, our supporters. We want people everywhere around the world to see us for what we are."

In total contrast was the reaction of the two-time champions Uruguay.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

One of the best things about the World Cup is seeing smaller countries defy expectations.

Cape Verde's celebrations to earning a point were scenes. You just love to see it.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Adam Millington
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

A Cape Verde side brimming with confidence played with a clear sense of enjoyment - and once again showed that they are not to be taken lightly.

Most striking about this display was that it was largely the opposite of their stalemate with Spain as the Blue Sharks showed off their attacking talents instead of focusing on resolute defending.

They looked particularly threatening on the counter-attack, with their fast breaks often getting the better of a somewhat haphazard Uruguay backline.

As the clock ticked towards the end of the game, Cape Verde continued to hunt for a winner - looking to move up the pitch at every available chance - rather than settling for a point.

Cape Verde were comfortable with absorbing Uruguay's pressure, even if they sometimes made mistakes at the back, and were patient as they waited for opportunities.

With Saudi Arabia coming up in their final group-stage game on Saturday (01:00 BST), Cape Verde have a real chance of making it to the knockouts.

Uruguay again struggled to make the most of their chances, as they did in their draw with the Saudis, and face a daunting final group game against Spain knowing they will need a result to extend their World Cup stay.

BBC Sport joined the Cape Verde fans in Boston as they watched their side draw 2-2 with Uruguay to boost their hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout stage.

This is what it meant to them ...

Blue looks like the colour of the underdog at this World Cup.

First Curacao, now Cape Verde...

Ali, Aberdeen: Re Marc - I speak on behalf of the Scottish nation - virtually, probably and strong possibility mean nothing to us. We need 100% definitely qualified before we celebrate!

Dave, UK: To the person saying Scotland are virtual certainties to qualify in 3rd place, I don't think that's right. 3rd place in Group A and L could end with 3 points, it just needs a team currently in 3rd or 4th place to win a game.

Lamine Yamal is clearly a special talent.

In Spain's 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, he became only the second player aged 18 or younger – after Pele in 1958 – to open the scoring in a World Cup match.

But will the Barcelona forward go on to win the Golden Ball as the player of the tournament?

Certainly, attacking stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Lionel Messi will be hoping to usurp him.

Tell us who you think will become the player of the 2026 World Cup by using the 'Get Involved' button.

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Spain were 3-0 and cruising by half time after goals from Lamine Yamal (1) and striker Mikel Oyarzabal (2).

Manager Luis de la Fuente had seen enough and chose to substitute them both at the break, with Spain extending their lead by one goal in the second half courtesy of an own goal.

After the match, BBC's pundits were universal in their praise for Lamine Yamal.

"You can give a bit of advice but when you see a player like this with the confidence and freedom, he can create a lot of things that I couldn't teach," said his former Spain team-mate Cesar Azpilicueta.

"When he is on the pitch he knows how to create chances, take on defenders and where to get the ball. From there, he is growing every single game."

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn as a precaution with one group game remaining against Uruguay.

Former Brentford and Tottenham boss Thomas Frank added: 'Lamine Yamal always wants the ball. The determination and application to keep playing at the highest level, but also how can he stay humble enough when he knows everyone is saying he is the new coming superstar.

"How can you stay humble enough? That is going to be the big thing."

Elizabeth Conway
BBC Sport Spanish football reporter on the Football Daily podcast

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He's a superstar amongst the team and people bought their tickets to see Lamine Yamal. Only time will tell if he is able to have the phenomenal career that Messi has.

Obviously being blessed with good fitness [is key]. After his injury, whether Yamal was starting was questionable, but Luis de la Fuente decided that it was a must-win game for Spain and decided to start him.

That was the right decision.

Before Yamal had touched the ball, the impact he has on the atmosphere is unbelievable. There's thousands of fans wearing his shirt, names, everywhere he's dominating conversations.

When his face comes on the big screen as he is warming up, the place just goes wild.

There is a roar like you wouldn't believe and it is very distinct to Lamine Yamal. So the story was his before the game had begun.

Spain lacked him, they missed him so much in that opening game against Cape Verde, which was lacklustre, it was slow, lacking intensity, it was slow in the build up.

This was a new Spain side because Lamine Yamal set that tone. It was sharp, it was fearless, it was intense, they were playing with confidence.

When Lamine Yamal is on that pitch, Spain play better. He is the gamechanger.

Elizabeth Conway
BBC Sport Spanish football reporter at Atlanta Stadium

Lamine Yamal was the story before kick-off and is dominating conversation long after the final whistle too.

The 18-year-old returned to Atlanta hoping to start his first World Cup match, having been limited to just 19 minutes in Spain's shock goalless draw with Cape Verde.

Luis de la Fuente insisted that cameo was part of a longer-term plan, with Lamine Yamal still carefully managing his recovery from the hamstring injury he suffered in April.

Fit enough to start against Saudi Arabia, his impact was immediate.

Even before his first touch, the impact he had on the atmosphere was remarkable.

Thousands of fans wore his name across their backs. Every time his face appeared on the big screen, the stadium roared.

Spain's young star had not yet touched the ball, but already lifted the occasion.

When he did, he transformed the first half of the match...

BBC Sport's Spanish football reporter Elizabeth Conway said that Lamine Yamal had a noticeable impact even before Spain's match against Saudi Arabia started.

Just being named as a starter, as the teen talent returns back to full fitness following an injury that blighted the final few months of his club season with Barcelona, was enough to change the atmosphere inside Atlanta Stadium...

Guillem Balague
Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast

Image source, Getty Images

When Lamine Yamal came on, first he just walked like he was in a school yard. He was just raising his arms, saying hello to his family when he came on the big screen. He was just enjoying himself, but inside there is a competitor.

He was the first one to dribble, the first one to shoot, the first one to score. Spain were benefitted by the fact that every time he had the ball, he had with him three defenders and had this space.

[Mikel] Oyarzabal scored two goals and one assist that's never ever happened in the World Cup and in 13 games, and he's managed to get 14 goals and 7 assists.

We were aggressive without the ball; with the ball we were running behind and offered lines for passes, and we blew them away.

Former England captain Wayne Rooney was highly complimentary of Lamine Yamal's performance for Spain in their 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia - comparisons between the teenager and Lionel Messi inevitable.

Lamine Yamal has broken many of Messi's records at Barcelona and now he has pipped him on the global stage, too - the Argentine was just shy of his 19th birthday when he netted his first World Cup goal in 2006, the Spaniard has done it two weeks younger.

"For Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the application and dedication they've had is the reason they are both playing in this World Cup," the former England forward told Match of the Day. "They have done everything right. Hopefully Lamine Yamal can do that.

"What is really impressive to me is when Messi came in to that Barcelona team, there was some top players and a crossover with Ronaldinho.

"[Lamine Yamal] has come in to the Barcelona and Spain team and it is his team, he is the main man.

"Everyone is looking to him to win. [He was] a big part of winning the Euros and will be a big part of this World Cup. That is what really impresses me, he is taking the pressure on at such a young age. You hope he can do that for the next 15, 20 years."

Let's switch now to Spain and Lamine Yamal.

If you need to catch up, check out the highlights of Spain's 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia below:

Let's recap the main stories of the day, starting with the positive:

• Mohamed Salah inspires Egypt to first World Cup victory
• Lamine Yamal scores first World Cup goal as Spain thrash Saudi Arabia
• Cape Verde's dream World Cup debut continues with thrilling 2-2 draw against Uruguay
• Iran hold 10-man Belgium to goalless draw

Aadam Patel
Football Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Could Salah follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and head to the United States?

The wages would not be as big as in Saudi Arabia but he would still earn a hefty sum.

The MLS has a wage cap but also the Designated Player rule – known as the David Beckham rule – that allows teams to buy star players. This has been used before for the likes of Beckham, Messi and Luis Suarez.

Messi earns $20m at Inter Miami, around £15m, but is paid between $70m and $80m a year when you take into account the player's ownership shares.

In December, MLS commissioner Don Garber publicly encouraged Salah to consider a move to the US, external.

"Obviously...we'd welcome him with open arms," he was reported to have said at the time.

"I'd say he should reach out to Leo [Messi] and reach out to [former Germany international] Thomas Muller and see how happy they've been and how successful they've been and how much they've really embraced being in Major League Soccer."

Aadam Patel
Liverpool Football Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly the first place to consider as Mohamed Salah's most likely destination.

There is the obvious link with Salah widely seen as a poster boy for both the Middle East and the Arab world and such a connection will be massive.

In 2023, Al-Ittihad made a £150m bid that was turned down by Liverpool.

The 'big four' of Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr, who are owned by the country's Public Investment Fund (PIF), know the impact Salah could have on the league as a global product.

Away from these clubs, Al-Qadsiah, who are managed by former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, are backed by Aramco, Saudi's oil company, and may well be interested.

But can the league afford him?

"Without a doubt," says football finance expert Kieran Maguire.