World Cup 2026: Cape Verde's Vozinha frustrates Lionel Messi in heroic loss to Argentina

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha was already one of the breakout stars of the 2026 World Cup. Then he held his own against the best to ever do it.

A Round of 32 match against defending champion Argentina didn't go the underdog's way, but Vozinha once again delivered a star-making performance with eight saves, four at the expense of Lionel Messi.

A worse goalkeeper for Cape Verde and it's a blowout. Vozinha helped turn the 3-2 Argentina win in extra time into one of the tournament's classics.

That included a 73rd-minute save when Messi seemed to catch everyone at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami napping on a free kick, except for Vozinha. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner could not have kicked it better, but Vozinha still got a hand on it.

Another angle:

Vozinha helped send the game to extra time with another stop of Messi in stoppage time.

Unfortunately, Argentina finally found a way through Vozinha in extra time, scoring two goals to end a bid for what would have been one of the biggest upsets in the history of the World Cup. It's unusual to be crediting the goalie of a 3-2 losing effort, but Vozinha's heroics warranted it.

Vozinha began the tournament with 50,000 Instagram followers. He had 8 million followers soon after pushing his team to a tie against Spain in Cape Verde's opener, and 14 million by the next day. Soon after the final whistle on Friday, he was up to 18.4 million.

Cape Verde's World Cup bid might be over, but this is stuff that will be remembered in soccer for years and in Cape Verde for life.