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The African nation paid tribute to the shot-stopper with a massive mural, commemorating his historic showing to help his side against the former World Champions Spain.
Jose Evora Dias, Vozinha’s mural in Cape Verde. (x)
FIFA World Cup debutants Cabo Verde recorded a historic result on Monday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, holding Spain to a draw to get off the mark. In their first-ever World Cup appearance, Cabo Verde claimed a crucial point in their Group H clash against Spain, producing the biggest early shock of the tournament, with the Blue Sharks keeper Jose Evora Dias the shining star in the Cabo camp.
The African nation paid tribute to the shot-stopper with a massive mural, commemorating his historic showing to help his side against the former World Champions Spain.
Cabo Verde were outstanding in the first half, keeping Spain from scoring despite the expected one-way traffic in favour of La Roja.
Brave, disciplined defending repeatedly denied Spain, with goalkeeper Vozinha in exceptional form. On one occasion, he cleared his lines only for the ball to fall to a Spanish player, forcing the Cabo Verde custodian to tip the ball over the bar.
Ferran Torres then clipped the crossbar after Marc Cucurella headed the ball back into the middle, as Cabo Verde survived another major scare. Vozinha came up big again near the end of the first period, blocking a couple of clean strikes on goal.
Luis de la Fuente introduced teenage star Lamine Yamal after 70 minutes as Spain intensified their search for a breakthrough, but the opener never arrived. The Blue Sharks held firm to make history, securing their first-ever World Cup points at the first time of asking.
Spain, World Cup champions in 2010 in South Africa, had been widely expected to sweep aside the tournament newcomers. Instead, an inspired display from the Blue Sharks’ goalkeeper helped the African nation produce a major upset at the expanded FIFA flagship event in USA, Mexico and Canada.
Later in the day, two-time World Cup winners and South American giants Uruguay face Saudi Arabia in the other Group H fixture at the Miami Stadium, a match that could significantly shape the group following Spain’s opening stalemate.
United States of America (USA)
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