Pinch me says Pico

CAPE VERDE'S Dublin-born Roberto Lopes described the “surreal” feeling of reaching the World Cup as he headed home to Ireland to become a father for the first time.

- BY RICHARD LEWIS:

Shamrock Rovers defender Lopes helped Cape Verde - an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands in the Atlantic off Africa's west coast with a population of just under 525,000 - become the second smallest nation to reach the finals after beating Eswatini 3-0 at home on Monday.