Cape Verde's Goalkeeper Vozinha Celebrates Historic World Cup Qualification
Historic Achievement for Cape Verde
Houston [US], June 27: Cape Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha, aged 40, expressed immense pride in his team's remarkable journey after qualifying for the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026. He emphasized their competitive spirit and eagerly anticipates their upcoming match against Argentina, led by Lionel Messi.
With three hard-fought draws, Cape Verde secured second place in their group, finishing behind Spain. This achievement marks them as the smallest nation to reach the World Cup knockout rounds. Vozinha gained recognition for his impressive saves during their opening match against Spain, which ended in a goalless draw, and he was thrilled with the team's advancement.
In a post-match interview, Vozinha remarked that while the players never envisioned such success, they always believed in their capabilities and determination to win. He stated, “None of us dreamed of this, but we know we have quality. Many thought we wouldn’t win any games, but we have a great team. Qualifying for the next phase is gratifying, and facing Argentina is a dream for any footballer.”
He added, “We didn’t come here to settle for draws; we aimed for victories. We knew it would be challenging, especially against a quality team like Saudi Arabia. We had more possession and opportunities, and we deserve recognition for our efforts.”
Vozinha hopes that their success will inspire future generations of footballers in Cape Verde, acknowledging the hardships they faced growing up and the sacrifices made by their families. “We are from a small country, but we know how to compete. Many underestimate Cape Verdean players, but we’ve proven our quality and competitiveness on this grand stage,” he asserted.
He continued, “Our upbringing was filled with challenges, and our families taught us to value hard work. We embody the resilience of the Cape Verdean people and represent all Cape Verdeans worldwide. We are passionate and determined fighters.”
Vozinha also expressed a desire for the team to serve as role models for young aspiring athletes. “Perhaps now we can inspire children to look up to players like Stopira and Ryan Mendes,” he concluded.
Additionally, Vozinha made history by becoming only the third goalkeeper to achieve multiple clean sheets in the World Cup after turning 40, joining the ranks of England's Peter Shilton and Italy's Dino Zoff.
As per OptaJose, Shilton holds the record with three clean sheets, while Zoff and Vozinha are tied with two each.