Cape Verde secures historic draw against Spain in World Cup opener

On June 15, 2026, Cape Verde achieved a 0-0 draw against Spain during their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, marking one of the biggest surprises in tournament history. The 40-year-old Cape Verdean goalkeeper, Vozinha (Josimar Jose Evora Dias), was named the player of the match after recording seven crucial saves against the European champions. Statistics indicate that this result is highly significant given that Spain was ranked 2nd and Cape Verde 67th by FIFA. Following his performance, Vozinha's Instagram followers increased from 50,000 to over 1.6 million. In emotional statements, the goalkeeper expressed sadness that his family, including his late grandparents and his mother, were absent. He explained his mother could not attend due to visa issues and financial requirements, noting that Cape Verdean citizens face a $15,000 fee for U.S. travel. Vozinha currently plays for the Portuguese club Chaves and previously represented the Cypriot team AEL Limassol.