World Cup 2026: Cape Verde Hero Vozinha Reveals Emotional Reason Behind Tears After Spain Draw

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has opened up on the emotional moment that followed his country’s historic FIFA World Cup debut after securing a surprise 0-0 draw against Spain.

The 40-year-old shot-stopper produced a remarkable performance in Georgia, making seven saves to help the World Cup debutants frustrate one of the tournament favourites and earn a memorable point.

Despite the celebrations that followed the final whistle, Vozinha was overcome with emotion as he reflected on the loved ones who could not share the historic occasion with him.

The goalkeeper revealed that his tears were linked to the absence of his grandparents, who raised him during his childhood but passed away before seeing him reach football’s biggest stage.

“I cried after the game because I was raised by my grandparents during my childhood, and they could not be there,” Vozinha said.

He also disclosed that his mother was unable to attend the match because of visa challenges and financial difficulties that prevented arrangements from being completed in time.

The veteran goalkeeper’s performance earned him the Man of the Match award after he denied Spain several times during a tense encounter.

Vozinha’s display also saw him enter the history books as the oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet on his World Cup debut.

He became the oldest player to feature in a country’s first-ever World Cup match, surpassing the previous record held by Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room, who achieved the feat at 37 years and 182 days.

Speaking about the achievement, Vozinha admitted he never imagined reaching such a milestone.

“I never imagined anything like this,” he said, expressing pride in representing Cape Verde on the global stage.

The goalkeeper praised his teammates and everyone involved in the country’s qualification journey, describing the World Cup appearance as a dream fulfilled.

Cape Verde, making their first appearance in the tournament’s history, stunned observers with their defensive discipline and resilience against a Spanish side filled with world-class talent.

The result marked a significant moment for Cape Verde football and further highlighted the growing competitiveness of African teams on the global stage.