A team written off before the tournament has fought its way to the brink of history.

Every round was supposed to be their last. It never was.

The squad has become a story bigger than sport, a national obsession.

Nobody's favourites

One more win separates them from the impossible.

"We had nothing to lose, so we played with everything."

Analysts point to a handful of forces driving the story forward:

  • A pre-tournament write-off
  • A run of improbable wins
  • A country now watching

Win or lose, they have already changed how they will be remembered.