Who is the man who stopped Spain and then gained 5 million fans overnight?

Some football stories prove that perseverance can be rewarded at any stage of life, and Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha is living proof of that.

Before Monday, the 40-year-old shot-stopper was largely unknown outside dedicated football circles. After nearly two decades in the game, with spells across Portugal, Cabo Verde, Moldova, Angola, Cyprus, and Slovakia, his career had been defined more by persistence than fame.

Despite making over 200 appearances and lifting only one major trophy — the 2018-19 Cypriot Cup with AEL Limassol — he remained a proud servant of the Cape Verde national team since his debut in 2012.

Now, on the biggest stage of all, everything has changed.

Cabo Verde's first-ever World Cup appearance already represented a historic milestone for the nation. For Vozinha, it was even more personal. "I think it is the most important moment of our lives," Vozinha told ESPN Brasil before the tournament. Yet few could have predicted what would happen in the opening match against Spain.

African heart doesn't fear Spain! Cabo Verde snatch heroic point against European champions!

Over the course of 90 remarkable minutes, the veteran goalkeeper produced a performance that instantly became one of the tournament's defining moments. Spain peppered his goal with 27 attempts, forcing seven saves, but could not find a way through. When the final whistle sounded, Cabo Verde had secured a famous draw and its first World Cup point.

The emotional weight of the occasion was impossible for Vozinha to hide. Named man of the match, he broke down in tears on the field as teammates celebrated around him.

"He was overwhelmed with emotion," Cabo Verde manager Bubista said. "He is quite an experienced player and has struggled throughout all of these years to be here at this world stage. It was also a cry of resilience."

Spain threw wave after wave of attacks at Cabo Verde in Atlanta. Even substitutes Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, two of football's most exciting young talents, were unable to beat the inspired goalkeeper. Vozinha repeatedly came to his team's rescue with sharp reflexes, acrobatic saves, and a particularly memorable stop from Pedri early in the contest.

By the end, he had become the symbol of one of the World Cup's greatest surprises.

After the match, Vozinha explained why the emotions had poured out.

"I cried because I grew up with my grandparents and unfortunately they were not here; they died a few years ago," Vozinha said after the game. "They were everything for me, for my life. I also cried because my mum didn't manage to be here because of the visa. Because of the money we had to pay for the visa, we didn't manage to get it done on time. I would like her to be here, but I'm also very happy."

The impact of his performance extended far beyond the pitch. Brazilian broadcaster CazeTV urged viewers to follow the goalkeeper on Instagram, triggering an extraordinary surge in popularity. Within minutes of the final whistle, his follower count exploded from around 46,000 to over one million. Just a few hours later, that number had climbed past five million and continued rising rapidly.

For a player who spent most of his career away from the spotlight, the sudden attention was almost unimaginable.

"I work hard all my life for this, for this moment, for this dream," Vozinha told Fox after the game. "A lot of generations in the past were dreaming of this, they didn't achieve it, many ex-players from our national team ... and now the dream has come true."

And this chapter is far from finished. Vozinha and Cabo Verde return to action on Sunday against Uruguay in Miami. Whether or not they claim their first World Cup victory, the goalkeeper has already secured his place among the tournament's most inspiring stories. After a night like Monday's, it almost felt as if Cabo Verde had already won.

WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE

First round

Monday, 15.06.

Ivory Coast - Ecuador 1-0 (0-0)

/Diallo 90/

Sweden - Tunisia 5-1 (2-1)

/Ayari 7, 90+6, Isak 30, Gyokeres , Svanberg 84 - Rekik 43/

Spain - Cabo Verde 0-0

Belgium - Egypt 1-1 (0-1)

/Hany 66 og - Ashour 20/

Tuesday 16.06.

Saudi Arabia- Uruguay 1-1 (1-0)

/Amri 41 - Araujo 80/

Iran - New Zealand 2-2 (1-1)

/Ramin 33,Mohebi, 64- Just, 7,54/

22.00: (1.47) France (4.50) Senegal (6.75)

***odds are subject to change***