"MESSI, THE GREATEST FOOTBALLER OF ALL TIMES (GOAT)", BY VOZINHA, CAPE VERDE'S GOAL KEEPER.

STATEMENT FROM CAPE VERDE'S GOAL KEEPER.

Just four years ago, Vozinha was watching the World Cup from home, cheering for Lionel Messi as a fan because Cabo Verde had not qualified. In 2026, his dream became reality.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper and captain of Cabo Verde helped lead his country on an unforgettable World Cup journey. He first made seven brilliant saves in a 0-0 draw against Spain, becoming one of the tournament's biggest surprise stars.
Then came the biggest challenge of all — facing Messi and Argentina in the Round of 32.
Before the match, Vozinha had said, "He's the greatest footballer of all time. Every team panics when they have to face him. Sharing the pitch with Messi is a dream, and I'll proudly tell my kids I played against him one day."
When the game began, Messi gave Argentina the lead. Cabo Verde refused to give up, with Deroy Duarte scoring the equalizer. In extra time, Lisandro Martínez put Argentina ahead again, but Sidny Lopes Cabral answered with another goal to make it 2-2.
The match stayed level until the 111th minute, when a deflected header from Cristian Romero was ruled an own goal by Diney Borges, giving Argentina a dramatic 3-2 victory after extra time.
Vozinha made eight outstanding saves and pushed one of the tournament favorites to the limit. Although Cabo Verde's World Cup journey came to an end, the team earned the respect of football fans everywhere.

For Vozinha, the dream was complete. He not only shared the pitch with Messi, but also helped create one of the most memorable matches of the tournament.

 

World Cup: Haaland sends Brazil packing and England advances in thriller

Sunday marked the second day of the World Cup round of 16. After Morocco and France advanced on Saturday, the following day saw Norway and England secure their spots, eliminating Brazil and Mexico, respectively.

The highlights

In the first match of the day, Brazil played a tense game against Norway, ultimately losing 2-1.. After missing a penalty, with Bruno Guimaraes, just 14 minutes into the match, the Selecao found themselves in an unusual situation.

Norway dominated possession, with coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team sitting deep, looking to find space for counterattacks. Brazil’s punishment came in the second half after more missed chances.

Haaland’s killer instinct made the difference, scoring twice late in the game to send Brazil home earlier than expected.

The other match of the day was a memorable one. The clash between Mexico and England was played at a frenetic pace, ending with a 3-2 win for the English.

The first half ended 2-1 to the Europeans, with plenty of chances for more goals. In the second half, Quansah’s red card looked set to ignite the match, just moments before Harry Kane made it 3-1 to deflate Mexico, who suffered their first ever World Cup defeat at the Azteca, despite a late response with a penalty goal from Raul Jimenez.

Champion of the day

In his first World Cup, Haaland showed Brazil why he’s considered one of the world’s top strikers. Even with few touches on the ball, he made the difference when the chances came.

The striker was clinical: he took four shots in the match, hitting the target three times. The striker extended his run to 15 consecutive official matches scoring for Norway.

Unlike Brazil, who failed to convert their chances, the Norwegian was ruthless with two key plays. The first was a header from Haaland, true to his style, outjumping defender Gabriel Magalhaes. For the second, he fired a low shot into the corner past Alisson to seal Brazil’s elimination.

Goal of the day

Haaland made Brazil taste the same bitterness that many European and Premier League clubs have felt in recent years. His headed goal showcased some of his best qualities: height, precision, and positioning.

When the chance came, Haaland won the aerial duel with Gabriel Magalhaes, a familiar face from English football, and this new chapter in their rivalry had a clear winner.

At the 79th minute, Haaland showed why he’s such a feared striker, expertly heading in a cross from the byline to start Brazil’s downfall.

THE CIRCULAR ROAD TO THE WORLD CUP FINALS.