FIFA World Cup 2026: "With your support, we will make history": Cabo Verde goalie Vozinha to fans ahead of landmark Argentina R32 clash
Miami, July 2
Ahead of their landmark round of 32 clash in the FIFA World Cup against Argentina, Cabo Verde's star goalkeeper Vozinha called on his fans to cheer up for the WC debutants and vowed to make history, saying, "With your support, we will make history."
World Cup debutants Cabo Verde, who played out three brave draws against European champions Spain (a goalless draw), against Uruguay (2-2) and against Saudi Arabia (0-0), the Blue Sharks became the smallest nation to qualify for the knockout stages of the global tournament.
The third-smallest nation to have played the World Cup has impressed one and all with their determination and resilience in the tournament.
Cabo Verde also became the first nation since Chile at the 1998 World Cup to advance from the group stage after drawing all of their matches.
Posting on X, Vozinha, with a national flag in his hand, posted with a caption, "With your support, we will make history together."
After their final league stage match against Saudi Arabia, Vozinha had expressed joy at getting to play against Lionel Messi-led Argentina and said that they had always "sought to win" the tournament.
"None of us dreamed of this, but we know we have quality and, when we got to the World Cup, perhaps many thought we would not win any games. We have a great team and quality players. It is gratifying to have qualified for the next phase, and facing Argentina will be very good. It is a dream for any footballer to play against Argentina and Lionel Messi."
"We did not come here to secure a draw. We always sought to win. We knew it was not going to be easy. Saudi Arabia also has a lot of quality and is used to these kinds of matches. We tried everything to score, but we could not. Everyone saw that we had more possession, more balls, and more opportunities. We deserve congratulations," he added.
During the match, Vozinha also entered an elite list in FIFA World Cup history after becoming only the third goalkeeper to register multiple clean sheets at the tournament after turning 40.
Vozinha, who has kept two clean sheets in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, now joins England's Peter Shilton and Italy legend Dino Zoff in this rare statistical feat. According to OptaJose's X handle, Peter Shilton leads the chart with three such clean sheets, while Zoff and Vozinha are tied with two each.
After their final league stage match against Jordan, Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, had also said that the team will be wary of the debutants, saying that "they will make things difficult" for the defending champions.
"It is pointless for me to sit here and say they are not a tough opponent, because that would be a lie. Maybe for many it is not like that, but I can assure you they are a good team and will make things difficult for us," said Scaloni as quoted by Reuters.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, I didn't know much about Cabo Verde before this World Cup, but now I'm a fan! 🫡 Their defensive discipline is something even top teams should learn from. Vozinha's statement about "always seeking to win" shows a champion's mindset. I hope they give Argentina a real scare - it would be a beautiful upset for the football world. India should take notes on how small nations can dream big!
Vozinha is 40 years old and still standing tall in goal! That's like our MS Dhoni keeping wickets at 40 - pure class and experience. But let's be real, facing Messi's Argentina in the knockouts is a different beast. Spain and Uruguay didn't do enough to break them down, but Argentina with Messi, Di Maria, and that attack... it's going to take a miracle. Still, I'm rooting for the Blue Sharks! 🦈
Scaloni's comments about Cabo Verde being a tough opponent are real respect! 🙌 In Indian sports, we often see big teams underestimating smaller ones, but Argentina's coach is smart enough not to do that. The fact that Cabo Verde drew all group matches without losing is incredible defensive organization. However, I'm a bit skeptical - can their attack actually score against Argentina? They only managed 2 goals in 3 games. That's a concern.
What a story! 🇨🇻 Cabo Verde is like the Haiti or Jamaica of football - a small island nation making noise on the biggest stage. Vozinha joining Shilton and Zoff in that elite list is phenomenal. But I have to say, the way they played is a bit one-dimensional - all defense, no attack. Against Argentina's creative geniuses, that might not be enough. Still, they've already won hearts across the globe. Jai Ho to the Blue Sharks! 🎯
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