Thousands of ecstatic fans escorted Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks through the streets of Praia on Sunday for a celebratory parade following their slender defeat to Argentina in one of the World Cup’s most surprising matches.

The route, which began at the airport, carried the team through the capital’s main districts as throngs of supporters played music and cheered, making forward movement difficult at times.

The Sharks capped their return with a visit to Cape Verde’s presidential palace on Sunday evening, where President Jose Maria Neves declared that “Argentina won, but Cape Verde triumphed”.

The west African archipelago nation progressed to the knockout stages in their first World Cup, thrilling supporters back home and gaining fans abroad as they confounded expectations.

In an epic last-32 contest in Miami on Friday, Cape Verde pushed Argentina to the brink but the reigning world champions snatched a 3-2 win in extra time.