Tiny island a fave with Brit holidaymakers on brink of qualifying for World Cup

CAPE VERDE are on the verge of World Cup qualification for the first time.

The Blue Sharks came agonisingly close to securing a place at the major tournament on Wednesday.

1 Cape Verde scored two late goals to draw with Libya and keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive Credit: AP

After going 3-1 down at 11 June Stadium, Cape Verde completed a stunning comeback to draw the match against Libya.

Libya goalkeeper Murad Al Wuheeshi made a hug blunder to let them back into it with around 15 minutes left to play.

Sidny Cabral sent a long ball forward which bounced through the 28-year-old's legs before slowly rolling into the net.

Willy Semedo then equalised from close range following a failed clearance from the Libya defence.

The result left Cape Verde top of Group D in CAF World Cup qualifying with 20 points from nine games.

Meanwhile, Libya sit third with 15 points.

A win on Wednesday would have seen Cape Verde secure World Cup qualification.

However, they have a second chance to qualify against Eswatini next Monday.

Should they manage it, Cape Verde will become the second-smallest nation to appear at the tournament.

The country - located in the central Atlantic Ocean - has a population of approximately 525,000.

It has become a holiday hotspot for British tourists over the years, with thousands flocking to the islands each year.

Iceland , with a population of roughly 350,000, remains the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup proper, in 2018.