Cape Verde's 40-Year-old Goalkeeper Shines in World Cup Debut

WHO:

The Washington Post - Vozinha walked onto the pitch as a 40-year-old journeyman, two weeks away from the expiration of his contract at a second-tier Portuguese club.

Sportskeeda - Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar José Évora Dias, known as Vozinha.

NBC News - Vozinha faced Spain, one of the most talented and successful teams in the world.

WHAT:

NBC News - Vozinha recorded seven saves during the match against Spain, holding the team to a 0-0 draw despite Spain unleashing 27 shots.

NPR - Vozinha stated, "I work all my life for this, for this moment, for this dream," reflecting on his long journey to the World Cup.

Al Jazeera - Vozinha's Instagram following jumped from 500,000 to nearly 5 million within a few hours after the match against Spain.

Pro Football Network - Vozinha gained more than a million followers after holding favorites Spain to a goalless draw in FIFA World Cup 2026.

NPR - Vozinha's performance was a culmination of a career that didn't even start at the professional level until he made his debut at the age of 25 for Angolan club Progresso.

NPR - Vozinha joined the national team in 2012 and at times, he thought about retiring from the national team, but he "continued because of this dream."

NPR - Vozinha said, "A lot of generations in the past (dreamed of) this day but they did not achieve. And now the dream comes true."

NPR - Vozinha recorded seven saves during the match against Spain, holding the team to a 0-0 draw despite Spain unleashing 27 shots.

NPR - Vozinha stated, "I work all my life for this, for this moment, for this dream," reflecting on his long journey to the World Cup.

NPR - Vozinha's Instagram following exploded from around 50,000 to more than 2.4 million within hours after the match against Spain.

Al Jazeera - Vozinha broke down in tears at the end of the 0-0 draw with Spain after being mobbed by his teammates following his performance.

Al Jazeera - Vozinha earned the player of the match title for his performance against Spain, making a string of saves to deny Ferran Torres, Pedri, and Aymeric Laporte.

Al Jazeera - Vozinha's Instagram following jumped from 500,000 to nearly 5 million within a few hours after the match against Spain.

Al Jazeera - French football star Paul Pogba praised Vozinha on social media, stating, "The Cape Verde goalkeeper is really something, waaaaw."

Pro Football Network - Vozinha gained more than a million followers after holding favorites Spain to a goalless draw in FIFA World Cup 2026.

Reddit Sports - Vozinha has 3.6 million Instagram followers, which is twice the number of followers of finals MVP Jalen Brunson, who has 1.7 million followers.

NY Post - Vozinha has become one of the early breakout stories of the tournament following his performance against Spain.

Sportskeeda - Vozinha gained over 1 million followers on Instagram after his FIFA World Cup debut.

Newsweek - Cape Verde earned a draw against Spain, a surprising result given Spain's status as a World Cup favorite.

NBC News - Vozinha blanked Spain in the match, contributing to Cape Verde's historic draw.

WHERE:

Sportskeeda - The match took place during the FIFA World Cup.

WHEN:

NBC News - The match between Spain and Cape Verde occurred on a Monday afternoon.

WHY:

NPR - Vozinha's mother had been unable to gather the money in time to secure a visa to enter the U.S.

NPR - Vozinha's mother was unable to attend the match due to a visa issue, which he described as a profound heartbreak.

NBC News - Steven Moreira expressed his feelings about Cape Verde's draw against Spain, stating that he maintains confidence in the team and believes they will proceed step by step with patience.

Sportskeeda - Vozinha explained that his mother could not attend his FIFA World Cup debut due to a VISA issue.

HOW:

NPR - The word "vozinha" is Portuguese for "little grandmother," and the goalkeeper said he was given the nickname by older kids who would beat him on the soccer field and then laugh, saying he was going home to complain to his grandparents.

NPR - Vozinha was given the nickname "Vozinha," which means "little grandmother" in Portuguese, after older kids teased him about going home to complain to his grandparents.

NBC News - Vozinha demonstrated his skills and readiness to face a top-tier team during the match.

In a stunning performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Vozinha recorded seven saves, helping his team secure a 0-0 draw against Spain despite facing 27 shots. Reflecting on his journey, Vozinha expressed, "I work all my life for this, for this moment, for this dream," as his Instagram following skyrocketed from 500,000 to nearly 5 million shortly after the match. The goalkeeper, who debuted professionally at 25 and joined the national team in 2012, shared that he persevered through doubts about retirement because of the dream that many generations before him had hoped to achieve.