… Goalkeeper Vozinha became an internet sensation for his performance against Spain, seeing his Instagram followers skyrocket to more than 15 million in the six days following the game; he had entered that game with 57,000. …
… Lionel Messi broke the deadlock after the first hydration break, lifting the ball over an onrushing Vozinha after controlling a pinpoint ball over the top from Lisandro Martinez. …
… Vozinha, 40, Cape Verde (Last club: Chaves) The Cape Verde goalkeeper went viral for his heroic performance in his side’s opening 0-0 draw with Spain and has since helped them through to the knockout stages for the first time, where they will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina on Frid …
… Vozinha: Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper earned worldwide plaudits for his part in keeping out Spain in Atlanta on Monday, as a sterling defensive performance earned the island nation a draw against the former world champions in their World Cup debut. …
… Sixty-four places split Spain and the African nation in the world rankings before Monday’s game, but the Euro 2024 champions couldn’t find a way past goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, in Atlanta. …
… However, the reigning European champions were laboured in attack for long spells and on the occasions Spain threatened the Cape Verde goal, 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha kept them at bay with numerous fine saves. …
After the first round of Group Stages, smaller nations have performed better than expected, with Cape Verde holding Spain to a goalless draw, suggesting the tournament expansion from 32 to 48 teams may have justified itself despite initial concerns.
After the first round of Group Stages, smaller nations have performed better than expected, with Cape Verde holding Spain to a goalless draw, suggesting the tournament expansion from 32 to 48 teams may have justified itself despite initial concerns.
Cape Verde's football team received a jubilant homecoming in Praia after their historic World Cup run, during which they reached the tournament for the first time and played against reigning champions Argentina and other top sides before elimination. Tens of thousands of supporters greeted the players at the airport with celebrations including drumming, dancing, and flag-waving.
Argentina defeated Cabo Verde 2–1 in extra time in a FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Miami to advance to the Round of 16, where they will face Egypt. Lionel Messi scored once and assisted on the winning goal, an own goal by Diney Borges from a Messi corner.
As of 2 July, 14 players still active at the World Cup are technically without clubs to return to after the tournament ends. Notable free agents include Casemiro, James Rodriguez, Mo Salah, John Stones, and others, some of whom are using the competition to impress potential suitors despite their employment situations.
Goalkeepers at this World Cup have reported difficulties with the Adidas Trionda ball, with several conceding goals despite getting a hand to the ball. Former Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel trained with the ball before the tournament, suggesting the ball's design may be contributing to the pattern of goalkeeper errors.
The first week of group matches at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States featured performances by ten African representatives, with standout moments including Amad Diallo's late winner for Ivory Coast against Ecuador, Cape Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha's draw against Spain, and Ghana's Caleb Yirenkyi scoring a 96th-minute winner against Panama.
Spain, one of the pre-tournament favorites to win the World Cup, drew 0-0 with 67th-ranked Cape Verde on Monday in the first major shock of the group stage. Goalkeeper Vozinha made several saves to deny Spain's attack, while Cape Verde also had a late chance to win through Diney Borges' header.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, earned player-of-the-match honours as his country achieved a 0-0 draw against World Cup favourites and European champions Spain at Atlanta Stadium. Vozinha, emotional after the result, credited his family and his team's unity as their greatest strengths.
FIFA World Cup debutants Cabo Verde, a nation of just over 500,000 people, secured a 0-0 draw against Spain. Cabo Verde were tightly organised throughout, with goalkeeper Vozinha making several key saves to frustrate Spain's attacks despite the European side's dominance in possession.
Debutant Cape Verde, ranked 67th and the third-smallest country by population to qualify for a World Cup, produced a shock result by drawing 0–0 with second-ranked reigning European champions Spain in their Group H opening match in Atlanta.