Cape Verde, a volcanic archipelago in the Atlantic with a population under 600,000, just walked into its first-ever World Cup match and walked out with a point against Spain. The 0-0 draw on June 15 in Atlanta is the kind of result that makes you double-check the scoreboard.
Spain, the reigning European champions, entered the match as overwhelming favorites with pre-match odds of -1200. Cape Verde, ranked 64th by FIFA, entered the match as a nation most casual football fans would struggle to find on a map.
Vozinha’s masterclass between the posts
The story of this match has a name: Vozinha. Full name Josimar José da Cruz Dias. Age: 40 years old. Role: the human wall that Spain could not breach.
The veteran goalkeeper earned man of the match honors after a performance that featured several key saves against one of the most technically gifted attacking lineups in international football. At an age when most players have long since retired, Vozinha delivered the game of his life on the biggest stage he’s ever played on.
