Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha will unlock his phone to over a million new Instagram followers after pioneering the World Cup debutants to a shock draw with favourites Spain.
Vozinha made seven saves, with 1.46 xG prevented, as Cape Verde picked up a surprise point against European champions Spain in their Group H opener.
The 40-year-old, who plays for Portuguese second tier side Chaves, is the oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet on his FIFA World Cup debut and unsurprisingly won Player of the Match.
Alongside the memento and pride, Vozinha claimed new-found fame from the upset after pundits on Brazilian channel Caze TV urged viewers to boost him to 100,000 Instagram followers at half time.
Fans obliged as Vozinha climbed to 220,000 within a minute. By full time, his follower count had hit a staggering 1.4 million.
Vozinha made seven saves, with 1.46 xG prevented, as Cape Verde picked up a surprise point in their Group H opener
The 40-year-old, who plays for Portuguese second tier side Chaves, is the oldest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet on his FIFA World Cup debut and unsurprisingly won Player of the Match
Vozinha celebrates with Cape Verde flag after remarkable point against European champions Spain
The shot-stopper was in tears come the final whistle, as his teammates embraced him in celebration.
The African nation made up of 10 small islands with a population of around 500,000 — comparable to the occupancy of Sheffield – were resolute against Spain as they secured a remarkable point at the expanded 48-team tournament.
Speaking at half time on ITV after Vozinha made two stunning saves to keep Spain at bay, World Cup winner Juan Mata said: ‘The goalkeeper is gaining confidence; you can see with this nice save. Hopefully it’s not one of those days when he saves everything.’ It turned out to be one of those days.Â
Cape Verde play Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in the final two group games, where a win in either game would almost certainly see them book an unexpected spot in the Round of 32.Â
