Goalkeeper Vozinha, captain of Cape Verde, expressed himself about his confrontation against the current world champion, Argentina: “It is gratifying to have qualified for the next phase and Facing Argentina will be fantastic. For any footballer it is a dream to play against Argentina and Lionel Messi.”
Cape Verde, the great revelation of the tournament, advanced without winning a single matchbut became the “Cinderella” of the World Cup after holding draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, two former world champions, and entering the knockout phase in their senior debut.
The African team finished second in Group H with three points, in a historic campaign marked by its defensive orderthe solidity of his goalkeeper and a competitive identity that allowed him to fight as equals against higher-ranking rivals.
Vozinha has been one of the figures of the group led by Bubista. His interventions were decisive in sustaining the results in highly demanding matches. “None of us had dreamed of this, but we know we have quality. Many thought that we would not win any game, but we proved the opposite,” he recalled.
The coach put together a competitive squad supported by footballers from the Cape Verdean diaspora, key to raising the team’s level in its first World Cup. Cape Verde, with nearly half a million inhabitants, also represents one of the most striking stories of the tournament due to its size and sporting scope.
After overcoming a demanding African qualifying round, the “Blue Sharks” arrived at the World Cup with the aim of competing. “We did not come to tie; we always seek to win,” insisted Vozinha, who also highlighted the impact of the achievement on his country and on the new generations.
“We are an example for the little ones… maybe in the future there will be children who want to be like us,” added the goalkeeper.
Now, Cape Verde is preparing for the greatest challenge in its history: facing Argentina, the current world champion, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Beyond the result, the African team has already signed a historic participation that consolidated it as the great revelation of the 2026 World Cup.