When the game ended in Miami, several Cape Verde players were left lying on the grass. The 3-2 defeat against Argentina, in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, had put an end to a historic participation for the African team.
In the middle of that scene, Vozinha, captain and goalkeeper of the team, approached his teammates to lift them up and console them. The gesture reflected the feeling of a team that was eliminated, but that said goodbye after competing on equal terms against the current world champion.
“The World Cup means a lot to us because it was something we deserved for a long time. We qualified and managed to fulfill a dream. A dream not only of mine and the team, but of the entire Cape Verdean people,” said Vozinha after the match.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper highlighted the journey of Cape Verde, which in its first World Cup participation went through the group stage undefeated and faced Spain, Uruguay and Argentina.
“Being here, competing and fighting as equals against teams like Argentina, Spain and Uruguay leaves our hearts full and very proud of what we have done,” he said.
Vozinha acknowledged the sadness of the elimination, although he insisted on the value of what was achieved by the team led by Pedro Leitão Brito.
“Obviously we are sad about the result because we wanted to advance, but we knew that we had a very difficult opponent, the world champion. I want to congratulate the entire federation, the coaching staff and my teammates because they were incredible. We landed on our feet. I am very proud of the work of the entire team,” he expressed.
Coach Pedro Leitão Brito also highlighted the efforts of his players and recalled that Cape Verde forced Argentina to play 120 minutes to qualify.
“We managed to tie twice and that shows the level. There were moments when I felt there was a chance to win, especially in extra time,” said the coach.
Leitão Brito assured that his team’s performance will remain in the memory of Cape Verdean football. “What we have done will last in memory. We have made history for our country,” he said.
Cape Verde said goodbye to the 2026 World Cup with a defeat, but also with one of the most memorable stories of the tournament: that of a debutant team that pushed the world champion to the limit and that, in the end, found in its captain the image of a team that fell on its feet.