Josimar José Évora Dias, known to the world as Vozinha, was an underdog before Monday’s match. The 40-year-old goalkeeper led Cape Verde into their first-ever FIFA World Cup game. They faced Spain, a tournament favourite, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The match ended in a historic 0-0 draw. Spain dominated possession and launched wave after wave of attacks. However, they could not find a way past the veteran keeper. Vozinha’s performance was nothing short of heroic.
The night the internet stood still
Before kickoff, Vozinha’s Instagram account had a modest 50,000 followers. Within 48 hours of the final whistle, that number had surged to 11.1 million. Fans from across the globe flooded his profile to celebrate his performance.
The numbers are staggering for a player from a nation of just 529,600 people. His rise to fame happened in a matter of hours. This viral surge reflects the global impact of his display against the European champions.
A record-breaking performance
Vozinha earned the Player of the Match award for his efforts. He made a total of 27 saves during the game. Seven of those were direct shots on target. One particular sequence went viral. He saved a header, then immediately blocked a follow-up shot that hit the crossbar before stopping another header.
Key Match Statistics:
- Total saves: 27
- Saves on target: 7
- Goals conceded: 0
- Final Score: 0-0
The story behind the name
Vozinha’s journey to the world stage was not easy. He grew up on the island of Sao Vicente. As a child, he was often overlooked because of his height. He did not turn professional until his early 20s.
His nickname, 'Vozinha', means “little granny” in Portuguese. He chose this name because he was raised by his grandparents while his father served in the military and his mother worked.
He has carried the name on his jersey throughout a nomadic career in Portugal, Angola, Moldova, Cyprus, and Slovakia.
The goalkeeper was seen in tears after the match. He was mobbed by teammates and Spanish players alike. In interviews, he revealed that his grandparents, who did everything for him, died a few years ago.
“It’s the best moment in my life... there is no words that I can use to describe this moment.”
He also shared a personal struggle. His mother could not attend the match because she could not afford the expense of a U.S. visa. Fans have since started online campaigns to help get her to the next game.
Cape Verde will play Uruguay on Sunday, June 21, in Miami. The world will be watching to see if the veteran hero can pull off another miracle.
