A tiny Caribbean island with a population of just over 150,000 has become the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup – an achievement that is being described as "beyond unthinkable".
Curacao, which is located around 37 miles off the northwestern coast of Venezuela, has a population similar to Blackpool and a land area of 171 square miles, which is smaller than the Isle of Man.
In fact, their national football team was only founded in 2011 following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, and baseball is their main sport, with fewer than 20 players from Curacao featuring in Major League Baseball (MLB).
With all that being said, "The Blue Stars" – a reference to their blue and white flag – have defied all odds by reaching next summer's World Cup following an unbeaten qualifying campaign in Group B.
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They booked their spot in the 48-team tournament following a dramatic 0-0 draw against Jamaica on Tuesday but in total, they won seven out of 10 qualifying matches as the likes of Tahith Chong and the Bacuna brothers, Leandro and Juninho, helped create history.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live before the Jamaica game, former Huddersfield and Rangers midfielder Juninho Bacuna opened up on their journey. "It's crazy and would be one of the biggest things that will happen to Curacao," he said.
"It's incredible. Even a few years ago, you would not even think about it."
Many had their doubts when Curacao were drawn with Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda in Group B – three experienced teams from the Caribbean – but Advocaat's side went unbeaten before clinching a point against Jamaica to seal automatic qualification.
It was a close shave, to say the least. With four minutes of added time played, referee Ivan Barton immediately pointed to the spot after Curacao substitute Jeremy Antonisse appeared to have fouled Isaac Hayden.
But to the relief of those who travelled to Kingston's National Stadium from Curacao and beyond, Barton reversed his decision after checking the incident on a touchline screen.
As well as becoming the smallest nation to qualify for a World Cup, manager Dick Advocaat is set to become the oldest manager to lead a team to the World Cup next summer at the age of 78.
"Curacao making the World Cup is beyond unthinkable," said YouTube personality Zealand.
"The national team was founded 14 years ago. It’s not only 155,000 people, I have been there, it is INCREDIBLY small, about the size of Andorra. Also, baseball is their main sport. Now they’ve beaten Jamaica and T&T. Unreal."
An incredible story.
Topics: FIFA World Cup, Jamaica
Jack Kenmare