World Cup 2026 Player of the Day - Day 5: Veteran Vozinha Inspires Cape Verde to History
Tom Hancock
Cape Verde’s veteran goalkeeper Vozinha produced the performance of his life as the World Cup debutants held European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw in Atlanta in their Group H opener, in the biggest shock of the 2026 tournament so far.
On paper – and to the naked eye – Spain battered Cape Verde, attempting 27 shots to the newcomers’ six and totalling 2.10 expected goals (xG) to their 0.20, but there was simply no way through for the joint favourites to lift the trophy – thanks in no small part to the brilliance of 40-year-old Vozinha between the sticks.
Vozinha, who plays his club football for Chaves in the Portuguese second tier, pulled off seven saves over the course of the game, denying the likes of Pedri, Mikel Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres.
The shots Vozinha kept out were worth a combined 1.45 xG, an indicator of the relentless pressure Cape Verde came under – and absorbed – throughout the contest.
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Vozinha’s best save by far came in first half stoppage time when he got down low to his right to turn Aymeric Laporte’s header away from danger.
With that, Spain must have thought they would never break the deadlock – and so it proved, Vozinha sweeping up time and time again behind Cape Verde’s superbly resolute rearguard action.
Speaking after the most monumental result in his nation’s history, an emotional Vozinha explained what the clean sheet meant to him – and detailed his sadness that his mother couldn’t be present. He said:
“I cried because I grew up with my grandparents and unfortunately, they were not here; they died a few years ago. They were everything for me, for my life. I also cried because my mum didn’t manage to be here because of the visa. Because of the money we had to pay for the visa, we didn’t manage to [secure it] on time. I would like her to be here, but I’m also very happy.
“I have worked my whole life for this moment. I’m 40 years old. I started playing football professionally when I was 25, in 2012. I thought about leaving, but I continued because of this dream. This is for everyone. I was named man of the match, but this is for all of my teammates because without them nothing would be possible. I will continue to work for Cape Verde and for the people.”
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