FIFA World Cup 2026: Who is Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha?
What's the story
Cape Verde's goalkeeper, Vozinha, propelled his team in the historic FIFA World Cup debut against Spain. The match ended in a goalless draw at Atlanta Stadium. The Cape Verde supporters celebrated the result with joy and pride, while the players on the pitch reveled in their achievement. Vozinha's performance was instrumental in securing a clean sheet against the 2010 champions, making it one of the most memorable moments in his country's football history.
Match
How the match panned out
While Spain dominated early possession, Cape Verde couldn't press forward. As the half progressed, Ferran Torres's efforts to break through were stopped by Vozinha. Notably, Spain recorded 12 shots in the first half without scoring. Mikel Oyarzabal didn't have a single touch in the first 30 minutes. Spain deployed substitutions Mikel Merino, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Nico Williams after the break, but to no avail.
Records
Vozinha reaches these landmarks
Vozinha stole the show for Cape Verde by keeping Spain at bay. His seven saves are the second-most for a goalkeeper in the tournament to have turned 40. As per the BBC, he is only behind Pat Jennings, who made 10 saves on his 41st birthday for Northern Ireland against Brazil in 1986. According to Opta, Vozinha became the third goalkeeper in the tournament's history to keep a clean sheet after turning 40, joining Peter Shilton and Dino Zoff.
Career path
Second-oldest debutant in FIFA World Cup
Vozinha, also known as Josimar Dias, spent his entire career dreaming of playing in a World Cup. He expressed the same following the match. The 40-year-old earlier became the second-oldest debutant in the Men's FIFA World Cup. He entered the 2026 edition with 81 caps for Cape Verde. This achievement comes after a long journey that started when he turned professional at 25 in 2012.
Historical significance
Journey from an island to the world stage
Cape Verde, an isolated archipelago off the west coast of Africa, has limited opportunities for young footballers. Vozinha faced challenges due to his height, despite being one of the best keepers on his island. He eventually moved to Portugal in search of better prospects, which started a journey that took him across Slovakia, Angola, Moldova, and Cyprus. Today, he plays for Chaves in Portugal's second-tier league.
Match impact
Performance earns him massive following
Against Spain, each of Vozinha's seven saves was celebrated like a goal by the supporters in Atlanta. His performance not only earned him accolades but also made him a viral sensation on social media. According to the BBC, his Instagram followers skyrocketed from 50,000 to over 5 million after CazeTV, a YouTube channel, urged their viewers to follow him.