While Rodri was left frustrated, the mood in the Cape Verde camp was one of pure ecstasy. The debutants, representing a nation of just 525,000 people, celebrated the result as if it were a victory. At the heart of their heroic stand was 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who produced several vital saves to keep the Spanish giants at bay.
Vozinha, who earned his 90th cap during the stalemate, was visibly emotional following the result. After being presented with the Player of the Match award, the veteran shot-stopper said: “It was a great match. We worked incredibly hard for this moment and this dream. We are very proud. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy.”
