Cape Verde’s veteran goalkeeper was named man of the match following 7 saves against Spain in a historic 0-0 draw at the FIFA World Cup.
Atlanta, United States (Running Africa) – Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha delivered one of the most memorable performances of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, producing a string of crucial saves to help the island nation secure a historic 0-0 draw against Spain in its first-ever match at football’s biggest tournament.
The 40-year-old shot-stopper made seven saves in Atlanta on Monday as Cape Verde frustrated the European champions and defied expectations in one of the tournament’s biggest early surprises.
Spain dominated possession and created numerous chances throughout the match. Ferran Torres was denied, Pedri was kept at bay, and Mikel Oyarzabal came agonizingly close. Even the introduction of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal failed to unlock Cape Verde’s resilient defense.
At the center of the resistance stood Vozinha.
As the final whistle sounded, the veteran goalkeeper fell to his knees in tears before being embraced by teammates who understood the significance of the moment. For a nation of just over half a million people, Cape Verde had secured one of the greatest results in its football history.
Born Josimar José Évora Dias in Mindelo on São Vicente Island, Vozinha’s journey to the World Cup has been anything but conventional. He did not turn professional until the age of 25 and spent much of his career playing in Cape Verde, Angola, Portugal, Moldova, Cyprus, and Slovakia, largely away from the global spotlight.
Over the past decade, he has become a cornerstone of Cape Verde’s national team, helping elevate the Blue Sharks into one of Africa’s most competitive footballing nations.
During the World Cup qualifying campaign, Vozinha considered retiring from international football, fearing the physical demands of the game were becoming too great. However, encouragement from teammates convinced him to continue—a decision that paid off on one of football’s grandest stages.
Reflecting on the achievement after the match, the goalkeeper paid tribute to the family members who helped shape his journey, including his grandparents who did not live to see him reach the World Cup and his mother, who was unable to travel to Atlanta.
“Our best weapon is our unity,” Vozinha said. “We are here to compete and fight for our country.”
Cape Verde now turn their attention to crucial Group H fixtures against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay as they chase a historic place in the knockout stages.
The performance has also sparked a surge in global recognition for the veteran goalkeeper, with his social media following reportedly skyrocketing from around 50,000 to nearly 8 million followers within 24 hours of the match.
