Cape Verde’s debut in the 2026 FIFA World Cup turned out to be a memorable one as they held Spain to a goalless draw at the Atlanta Stadium on Monday, June 15, 2026.
The impressive performance by Cape Verde captured the attention of football fans in Makassar, Indonesia, since the country is home to PSM Makassar’s captain, Yuran Fernandes.
Yuran Fernandes has been with PSM Makassar for four seasons, joining the Indonesian Super League side in the 2022/2023 campaign. Over the years, he has become one of the most respected defenders in the league and a cornerstone of PSM’s defensive line.
The composure and solidity displayed by Cape Verde’s defence in their World Cup debut mirrored the qualities that have made Yuran Fernandes a defensive mainstay for PSM Makassar.
Despite Spain’s dominance in possession, Luis de la Fuente’s side—nicknamed La Furia Roja—struggled to break down Cape Verde’s well-organised defensive structure, often referred to as the Blue Sharks.
The first real chance of the match came in the 16th minute when Barcelona midfielder Pedri unleashed a shot that was superbly saved by Cape Verde goalkeeper Josimar Jose Evora Dias, better known as Vozinha.
Following that attempt, Spain increased their attacking intensity, forcing Cape Verde to sit deep and defend with numbers. A golden opportunity came in the 39th minute when Ferran Torres latched onto a cross from Marc Cucurella, but his effort only struck the crossbar.
The 40-year-old Vozinha continued to shine, denying Torres once again in the 45th minute to keep the scoreline level at halftime.
In the second half, Cape Verde maintained their composure, with Vozinha playing a crucial role in ensuring Spain remained goalless. By the 70th minute, the GD Chaves goalkeeper had already recorded five key saves, including a vital goal-line stop in the 56th minute and three successful interceptions of Spanish crosses.
Spain’s coach introduced Lamine Yamal and Mikel Merino in an attempt to add more attacking threat, but Merino’s shot in the 73rd minute was once again parried away by Vozinha. The veteran goalkeeper produced his seventh save of the match in the 82nd minute, denying a close-range header from Cucurella and preserving Cape Verde’s clean sheet.
Vozinha in Tears After the Final Whistle
Vozinha became the talk of the football world following the match. The veteran goalkeeper was seen in tears after Cape Verde’s historic 0-0 draw against European champions Spain.
Although he currently plays for a second-division Portuguese club, Vozinha was deservedly named Player of the Match for his heroic performance. His display frustrated Spain’s forward line throughout the game, forcing coach Luis de la Fuente to risk playing the not-fully-fit Lamine Yamal—without success.
In total, Vozinha made seven saves during the match, including two crucial stops in the 39th minute when Spain had back-to-back chances to score. His resilience and brilliance between the posts led to tears of joy at full time, a moment that symbolised Cape Verde’s pride on the world stage.
Vozinha’s performance drew widespread praise from the global football community. Among those who lauded him was former Scotland international and ex-Chelsea player Pat Nevin, who served as a BBC pundit for the live broadcast of the Spain vs Cape Verde match.
“I felt quite emotional watching that. It was truly fantastic—a brilliant performance,” said the 62-year-old Nevin. “They deserved that point more than anything, while Spain hardly earned theirs. They leave disappointed, but tonight belongs to Cape Verde.”
He continued, “It was an extraordinary display from every player—the central defenders, full-backs, and that man in goal (Vozinha) who cried at the end. I almost cried too,” added the Glasgow-born pundit, visibly moved by Cape Verde’s achievement.
