Cape Verde, which made their debut during the FIFA World Cup, surprised the world with an unbelievable 0-0 draw against Spain on Monday. Sportscaster Dan Patrick expressed his feelings about the match on the “Dan Patrick Show”.

“I didn’t know that Cape Verde is in the World Cup. I didn’t know where Cape Verde was,” said Dan Patrick on his show on June 16. “They tie Spain, and Spain was the favorite to win the World Cup.”

Patrick added that Cape Verde was off the coast of Africa and the population in the country is a little under 500,000. He further revealed that the state of Connecticut is about six times the size of the Cape Verde population-wise. 

On his show, Patrick further drew comparisons between Spain and Cape Verde. Spain’s population is at 48 million, and the total value of the players on the team comes to nearly $1.2 billion. On the other hand, Cape Verde’s population is 500,000, and the total value of its roster is $55 million. 

“This means everything for our country,” said Cape Verde coach Pedro Leitao Brito. “We have always said that we wanted everybody to see our country, our team, and we have shown organization and bravery, and this is proof of what our country is about - resilience and to try to overcome hardships.”

Per a Reuters report, Cape Verde defended deep from the start in a five-man low block. Meanwhile, Spain moved the ball side to side, hoping to find cracks, but the African debutants were organized, stubborn, and surprisingly calm under pressure. 

James Robson of AP Soccer Writer added that the 2010 World Cup Champion Spain is hoping to get its hands on the second one, too. But the disappointing start against Cape Verde is telling of their performance in the recent World Cups. Spain hasn’t been able to go ahead of round 16 in the past three editions. 

Robson concluded by saying that European Champion Spain is one of the favorites to win this edition of the World Cup. As per Inside FIFA, Spain is the 2nd best soccer team right now. However, couldn’t find a way back through Cape Verde’s stubborn defense and their 40-year-old goalkeeper. 

Cape Verde’s Veteran Goalkeeper Steals the Spotlight

Reuters reported that Spain had dominated possession and had 27 goal attempts but stood no chance against Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha.

After the final whistle, the goalkeeper was named the player of the match and left the pitch in tears, making him the face of Cape Verde.

“I’ve worked all my life for this, for this moment, for this dream,” said veteran goalkeeper Vozinha as Cape Verde produced the biggest shock of the tournament so far. 

Following the Spain-Cape Verde match, Vozinha became an overnight sensation on social media. Alice Gibbs of Newsweek reported that his Instagram followers went from around 50,000 when the match started to 11.8 million followers.

“All of us, we are happy because we work a lot to be here. We deserve to be here,” added Vozinha, summing up their debut World Cup season. 

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi