Cabo Verde and their 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha concluded a memorable FIFA World Cup debut after a valiant 3-2 loss to defending champions Argentina in Miami on Friday. The match went into extra time following a 2-2 draw in regular time, with an own goal by Diney Borges in the 111th minute proving decisive.
Vozinha's Record-Breaking Performance
Vozinha made a total of 18 saves throughout the tournament, according to OptaJoe. Only goalkeepers aged 40 or older with more saves at a single World Cup are Peter Shilton (28 in 1990 for England) and Dino Zoff (27 in 1982 for Italy). His seven saves against Spain and eight against Argentina highlighted his consistency. Only Paraguay's Orlando Gill (19) and Curacao's Ely Room (20) made more saves than him during the tournament, as per ESPN FC.
Cabo Verde's Unbeaten Run Against Champions
Cabo Verde's campaign included a goalless draw against 2010 champions Spain, draws against Saudi Arabia and two-time champions Uruguay, and the narrow loss to Argentina. They scored four goals and conceded five, drawing three matches and losing one. Despite being winless, they advanced to the round of 32, where they pushed Argentina to extra time.
Match Highlights: Argentina vs. Cabo Verde
Lionel Messi opened the scoring in the 29th minute, his seventh goal of the tournament. Cabo Verde equalized just before the hour mark through Deroy Duarte, assisted by Ryan Mendes. Argentina regained the lead in the 92nd minute via Lisandro Martinez, but Sidny Lopes Cabral's stunning curling effort in the 103rd minute made it 2-2. The decisive own goal came from a Romero header deflected off Borges in the 111th minute. Cabo Verde almost forced penalties, but Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved Lopes Cabral's free-kick.
Impact and Future Prospects
Cabo Verde's debut earned widespread praise, with Vozinha becoming a social media sensation. Argentina will face Egypt in the round of 16. The match showcased Cabo Verde's resilience, proving they belong on the biggest stage.
