Cape Verde’s Historic World Cup Debut Against Spain

Cape Verde, Africa’s third-smallest country, made history by holding soccer giant Spain to a scoreless draw in its World Cup debut this week. The veteran goalkeeper, Josimar José Évora Dias, played a pivotal role in this significant achievement.

As Cape Verde prepares for their next match against Uruguay on Sunday, there is a palpable mix of confidence and anxiety across the archipelago. The hope among Cape Verdeans is for another strong performance from their team, especially from Dias, who has become an overnight star after making seven decisive saves against Spain.

The national team, known as the Blue Sharks, is not filled with star players or extravagant styles. Vozinha, Portuguese for Granny, is Dias’s nickname. At 40, he stands as one of the oldest players in the tournament. Cape Verde had not been regarded seriously in African soccer until reaching the African Cup of Nations quarterfinals in 2023, marking its first time since 2013.

The challenge for Cape Verde is to advance from a group that includes formidable opponents: European champions Spain, Uruguay with two World Cup titles, and Saudi Arabia, whose soccer performance has been improving in recent years.

Cape Verde’s approach against Spain focused on protecting their goal rather than aggressively attacking, which proved effective. “We were giants,” declared Nuno Martins, a 51-year-old resident of Mindelo on São Vicente island. He attributes their success to excellent execution of their tactical plan and divine favor.