Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha (1) is scored on by Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez throughout the World Cup spherical of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2026.
Lynne Sladky/AP
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Lynne Sladky/AP
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — All that Vozinha needed out of this World Cup was for his mom to see him play.
He obtained that — and a lot extra.
Cape Verde did not win a match on the World Cup, and in some way, that did not appear to matter. The African group’s debut on this stage was unforgettable, thanks largely to the 40-year-old goalkeeper who almost engineered a soccer story that will have been counted among the many biggest upsets in sports activities historical past.
Cape Verde’s magical experience ended Friday within the Spherical of 32, with the Blue Sharks falling to Lionel Messi and defending World Cup champion Argentina — as most anticipated. Closing rating: Champions 3, Cinderellas 2, in further time — as most likely only a few anticipated.
“We have dignified Cape Verde as a national team in most parts of the world,” Vozinha mentioned in Portuguese. “Today, we fought on an equal footing against Argentina.”
Struggle, the Blue Sharks did. However the journey nonetheless ended. There was a scoreless draw in opposition to Spain to open the event, with Vozinha main the best way, which led to the fascinating story surrounding the worldwide collaborative effort it took to get his mom to the U.S. to observe matches within the group stage. There have been two extra dramatic attracts that had been ok for Cape Verde to achieve the knockout spherical.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) battles with Cape Verde’s Deroy Duarte (14) and Ryan Mendes (20) throughout the World Cup spherical of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2026.
George Walker IV/AP
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George Walker IV/AP
It took a objective from Messi, then a nook kick from the legend halfway by the second half of additional time that arrange what turned the game-winning tally, to avoid wasting mighty Argentina. The match lasted greater than 2½ hours in actual time after the David-vs.-Goliath showdown began. Goliath was pushed to the brink, with Vozinha standing tall in opposition to the group that entered the event ranked No. 1 on the earth — and the participant regarded by many as one of the best ever — repeatedly.
“He’s a quality, quality goalkeeper,” mentioned Cape Verde defender Pico Lopes, who was recruited to the group with a LinkedIn message — one other made-for-Hollywood story for this squad. “Probably hasn’t gotten the recognition he deserves before this. … He’s a legend in Cape Verdean football.”
There have been no fewer than 4 elite saves by Vozinha in opposition to Messi alone within the last 60 minutes:
— A degree-blank cease within the 63rd minute after Messi tried to energy a right-footed shot previous the keeper, who got here off his line to chop down the angle and absorbed the shot along with his physique. “Not many people stop Lionel Messi from three or four yards out,” Lopes mentioned.
— A free kick from Messi within the 73rd appeared destined to twist into the precise facet of the online; Vozinha obtained simply sufficient of an outstretched gloved hand on that one to knock it away to protect what was then a 1-1 rating.
— Messi went low with a free kick in stoppage time; Vozinha managed to see the ball by a wall of our bodies and dropped to his knees to make a save.
— Late within the first 15-minute further time interval, Messi collected a deflected ball on the prime of the penalty space and fired. Vozinha dove to his left, punching that one apart as effectively.
He did all he might. Everybody in his nation’s colours did. It was nearly sufficient.
Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha (1) reacts after Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez scored a objective throughout the World Cup spherical of 32 soccer match between Argentina and Cape Verde in Miami Gardens, Fla., Friday, July 3, 2026.
Lynne Sladky/AP
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Lynne Sladky/AP
“Argentina is a world champion and they have one of the best players in the world, so that in itself speaks of the challenge it was for our team to overcome them,” Cape Verde coach Bubista mentioned. “Above that, there’s the fact that we’re here for the first time. … We want to evolve so that we can have more opportunities to face the so-called big dogs of the tournament.”
Cape Verde, the smallest nation when it comes to land space to make the World Cup, with a inhabitants about 1% the dimensions of Argentina’s, will get $11 million from FIFA for making it this far within the event.
In fact, the Blue Sharks obtained much more than cash. They turned recognized on soccer’s greatest stage, with followers from around the globe reaching out throughout the World Cup run to say they’d earned their assist.
“Nobody has to ask where Cape Verde is now,” Lopes mentioned. “They know where we are.”
