Bebe scored a 40-yard free-kick as Cape Verde beat Mozambique to become the first team to book their last-16 place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Rayo Vallecano forward, once of Manchester United, smashed in a strike which keeper Ernan Siluane should have done better with.

Captain Ryan Mendes took advantage of a defensive mistake to double their lead.

Kevin Pina then hammered a brilliant strike into the top corner from outside the box to seal the win in Abidjan.

Mozambique's best moments came through Geny Catamo. He won a penalty in the first half, which was overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR), hit the crossbar with a free-kick and had one of their two shots on target.

Victory means Cape Verde have guaranteed top spot in Group B, ahead of former champions Egypt and Ghana, with a game to spare.

The Blue Sharks face the North Africans in their final group match on Monday (20:00 GMT) knowing that they will meet a third-placed finisher from Group A, C or D in the last 16 seven days later.

Bebe (left) made his Cape Verde debut in 2022 having previously represented Portugal at youth level. 

Bubista's side, ranked 73rd in the world, are in their fourth Africa Cup of Nations - and have progressed from the group stages in three of them.

Cape Verde, who beat Ghana, and Mozambique, who drew with Egypt, both came into this game high on confidence after good opening results.