Cape Verde’s 0-0 with Spain, Vozinha’s tears and a LinkedIn tale | OneFootball

Cape Verde, led by 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, held Spain 0-0 at the World Cup, a draw hailed as one of the tournament’s great shocks.

L'Équipe reports that the 64th-ranked side sat deep for long spells, stifling the reigning European champions with compact shape and tireless work.

In added time Diney Borges produced Cape Verde’s first effort on target, a header that almost stole it, while Roberto Lopes blocked Mikel Oyarzabal late on. Lopes, of Shamrock Rovers, was found via a Portuguese LinkedIn message from then coach Rui Águas.

At the final corner he saw about 30 seconds left, told team-mates there was one more to defend, then prayed for a clearance or for Vozinha to claim. The corner came to nothing and the whistle followed.

Vozinha wept at full-time. He said he thought of the grandparents who raised him, now deceased, and of his mother, unable to travel after visa funds fell short. He wished she had been there and was very happy.

Cape Verde made a long lap of honour to salute supporters dotted around the ground, and two hours later several players swept through the mixed zone with music blaring, dancing before stopping to talk.

Head coach Bubista, a former captain who has led the side since 2020, said the draw meant a great deal to the country and that his team showed courage, organisation and resilience in overcoming obstacles.

Source: L'Équipe