A debut to remember! Cabo Verde's 40-year-'young' keeper Vozinha defies Spain | FIFA World Cup 2026

World no. 3 vs World no. 64. A pre-tournament favourite taking on the debutants. The mismatch couldn’t have been more stark.

What unfolded over the next 90 minutes (and added time, of course), however, was a defensive masterclass, and a near upset. The 0-0 result was celebrated like a win by the Cabo Verde team, which represents the third-smallest nation by population to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.

At the centre of this remarkable performance was their 40-year-old goalkeeper, Vozinha. He might have waited till the twilight of his career to make his World Cup debut, but came up with a Player-of-the-Match-winning performance when he finally got the chance.

In the Group H match against the 2010 champions, Vozinha made an impressive seven saves, keeping a formidable Spanish attack at bay, with stellar support from his defenders to deny Ferran Torres, Pedri and Aymeric Laporte. The closest Spain came to scoring was when Torres struck the crossbar shortly before halftime. The veteran goalkeeper’s agility and determination frustrated the Spanish team and their supporters, despite their overwhelming possession and a staggering 27 shots on goal. Even the introduction of young prodigy Lamine Yamal in the second half couldn't break through Vozinha and Cabo Verde's resolute defence.

In fact, they almost pulled off a bigger upset. Diney Borges had a late chance to score but his header was saved by Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simon.

As the referee blew the final whistle, an emotional Vozinha, whose real name is Josimar José Évora Dias, sank to his knees and was mobbed by his jubilant teammates, as the enormity of one point against Spain sunk in. But the people he wanted to witness this historic moment were not there, he said later. His grandparents, who raised him, passed away some years ago, and his mother was unable to secure a visa in time to travel to the tournament. Cabo Verde is among 50 countries whose citizens have to get bonds of up to $15,000 to secure a US visa, as part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on travellers from countries that officials said had high rates of visa overstays. The Trump administration last month suspended the requirement for ticket-holders from Cabo Verde and four other World Cup countries, but it was too late for many fans.

Vozinha was always a late bloomer, having made his professional debut at 25 with Angolan club Progresso. His journey has since taken him across continents, with spells in Moldova, Cyprus, Slovakia, and Portugal, where he currently plays for Chaves in the second division.

He joined the Cabo Verde national team in 2012. Vozinha admitted he had contemplated retiring from international duty several times, but carried on driven by the World Cup dream. "I worked all my life for this, for this moment, for this dream," Vozinha said after the match. "Many generations before us dreamed of this day but couldn't achieve it. And now, the dream has come true."

Interestingly, the name "Vozinha" is Portuguese for "little grandmother." The goalkeeper revealed he got the nickname from older children who would beat him at football and then tease him, saying he was going to run home and complain to his grandparents. Years later, he adopted the nickname when another player at his club shared the same first name, Josimar.

It might too early to set the alarm bells ringing, but the fact remains that Spain have failed to advance beyond the round of 16 in each of the last three World Cups. Spain play Saudi Arabia on Sunday and Cape Verde face Uruguay.