Historic FIFA World Cup Debut: Vozinha Shines as Cape Verde Draws with Spain

In a stunning FIFA World Cup debut, Cape Verde's Vozinha, aged 40, showcased exceptional skill in a 0-0 draw against Spain, marking a historic upset. His performance not only earned him the Player of the Match title but also set records for the oldest debutant and the oldest player to keep a clean sheet. The match also featured a remarkable age gap between Vozinha and 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, creating a unique moment in World Cup history. Discover more about this unforgettable match and Vozinha's incredible achievements.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 16, 2026, 06:23 IST

A Memorable Match at the FIFA World Cup

In a match that marked the FIFA World Cup debut of 18-year-old Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal, it was the 40-year-old Vozinha who captured the spotlight. Cape Verde celebrated their first-ever appearance in the FIFA World Cup with a remarkable 0-0 draw against Spain at the Mercedez Benz Arena. This result is being hailed as one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's history. Cape Verde's defense was impressive, successfully neutralizing Spain's formidable attack, with Vozinha playing a pivotal role. The goalkeeper made seven crucial saves and was named Player of the Match, receiving accolades from teammates and fans alike. His performance has led to a surge in his social media following, gaining over three million Instagram followers.

Vozinha's Historic Achievement

Vozinha Creates History

At 40 years and 12 days old, Vozinha has become the second-oldest player to debut in FIFA World Cup history, following Egypt's Essam El-Hadary, who debuted at 45 years and 161 days. Vozinha's remarkable feat also includes being the oldest player to keep a clean sheet on his World Cup debut. He surpassed the previous record set just a day earlier by Curacao's Eloy Room, who was 37 years and 128 days old during his match against Germany. Vozinha is now recognized as the eighth oldest player to participate in a FIFA World Cup, with the majority of the oldest players being goalkeepers.

Record Age Gap in World Cup History

The World Record With Lamine Yamal

In an interesting twist, the match featured an age gap of 21 years and 45 days between Vozinha and Yamal, marking the largest age difference between two opponents in World Cup history. The previous record was held by England's David James and Algeria's Ryad Boudebouz, who had a gap of 19 years and 207 days during the 2010 tournament. This unique record was established when Yamal entered the game as a substitute in the 70th minute.