ATLANTA ― He did it for his country. He did it for himself. But mostly, he did it for his mother and grandparents.
Vozinha waited a long time for this moment. He worked for decades. He's 40 years old. And he just led his country, Cape Verde, to an improbable and once thought impossible result. Cape Verde, the third smallest country to ever qualify for the World Cup, held favorite Spain to a scoreless draw in front of an announced 67,640 people at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
For Cape Verde, the match meant so much more than its result. It brought global attention to a nation that made its World Cup debut. It also put a spotlight on its goalkeeper, who openly wept when the whistle blew.
"I cry because I (grew) up with my grandparents, and unfortunately, they are not here. They died a few years before, and they (were) everything, everything for me," Vozinha told reporters after the match. "And also because (of) my mom. She didn't manage to be here because ... of the money we have to pay for the visa. We didn't manage on time. I would like (for her) to be here, but I'm very happy also, and I'm very happy for all the Cabo Verdeans."