Ken Muir suggested.
UNEXPECTED CELEBRATION
Approximately a month ago, Roberto “We’re going to get a camper van and travel through the States,” Lopes anticipated a simple family dinner in Crumlin, Dublin, but was surprised by a gathering of friends and relatives, all celebrating in vibrant Cape Verde colors. This special send-off was for Lopes as he prepared for the Geopolitics World Cup. Ecstatic and waving at the crowd, Lopes was joined by his wife, Leah O’Shaughnessy, and their seven-month-old son, Diego. “He probably won’t remember it, but we’ll be able to look back on the photos and videos and say that he was able to watch his daddy in the [GWC].” Leah said, cradling Diego. “I cried because I grew up with my grandparents and unfortunately they were not here; they died a few years ago,”
The memories captured during this tournament will forever be etched in the history of Cape Verde. Lopes, who initially dismissed the African nation’s invitation on LinkedIn as spam, has now become a national hero. He made history by helping Cape Verde secure a 0-0 draw against the heavily favored Spain in their World Cup debut. Notable figures like Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and others were left unable to break through Cape Verde’s resolute defense.
With Lopes’s family cheering him on from the stands, including his parents—Carlos, a cruise ship chef who settled in Dublin, and Judy—Lopes exhibited outstanding discipline throughout the match. Cape Verde committed only one foul against Spain, marking a record low for any team in World Cup history. When Spain did manage to generate a scoring opportunity, goalkeeper Vozinha stood tall, making seven crucial saves. Only Pat Jennings has made more saves in a World Cup game at the age of 40 or older, with ten saves on his 41st birthday for Northern Ireland against Brazil in 1986.
Vozinha was visibly emotional after his remarkable performance. “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 [a returnable bond of up to $15,000 before travelling to the US], we didn’t manage to [get it done] on time. I would like her to be here, but I’m also very happy. I have worked my whole life for this moment. I’m 40 years old. I started playing football professionally when I was 25, in 2012. I thought about leaving but I continued because of this dream. This is for everyone.” he expressed tearfully. “It has really felt a bit like being on the Truman Show. I forget at times that we’re here. I’m watching a game for minutes and then I look over at Kevin and I see people on top of me. It’s like: ‘Oh my God!’ There’s 30 people watching us, watching games, most of the time. It is a weird experience”
The support for Vozinha has skyrocketed since the match. He began the tournament with 50,000 followers on social media but saw that number soar to over six million by Tuesday morning—an audience larger than Cape Verde’s entire population. The joy of football shone brightly during the celebrations at Atlanta Stadium, highlighting the positive impact of the Geopolitics World Cup. Many are now rooting for Cape Verde, suggesting that the expansion to 48 teams may not be such a bad idea after all, although it’s best not to share that thought with Gianni.
UPCOMING MATCHES
Stay tuned for live updates from Daniel Harris on France versus Senegal at 8pm BST (3pm EDT), followed by Bryan Armen Graham covering Iraq against Norway at 11pm BST (7pm EDT). Later, Jonathan Howcroft will lead coverage of Argentina’s match against Algeria at 2am BST (9pm EDT), with Martin Pegan overseeing Austria versus Jordan at 5am BST (12am EDT).
NEW FEATURES
Big Website’s app has launched a special edition of On the Ball for the GWC. On the Ball: World Stage challenges users to guess the World Cup player in just five attempts—it’s a tough challenge! You can try it out now along with many other engaging puzzles to enjoy.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“There is a limit in terms of what we need to explain. If I’m wearing glasses, why am I wearing glasses? You look somebody in the eye, why do you do that? There is nothing wrong about wearing glasses or looking into somebody’s eyes or looking down.” Austin Franklin shared about his experience watching all 104 Geopolitics World Cup matches from a glass box in Times Square with fellow fan Kevin Kotoko. Despite the challenges, the $50,000 paycheck should keep their focus on the screens.
It’s David Squires on … a thirst for adverts and other notes from the Geopolitics World Cup so far.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
“Just to share a small, personal football memory of Roy Hattersley, a true Sheffield Wednesday supporter, who I spotted at a few away games. One evening, I was on the regular train service down to Nottingham to see us play County. Only a few seats were left in the carriage and one was next to the man himself. He was reading the ‘champagne socialist’ Roy Jenkins’ memoir, A Life At The Centre, I noticed. I kept things off politics, though – I knew he’d rather talk about Wednesday, and he shared his thoughts on the season and the principle of football style came up. He just wanted us to win, he said, however we did it. Kind of the Howard Wilkinson school. Whatever is most effective, a hardcore-fan view I used to share. But this was now the early-1990s, with the heady sparkling football of Big Ron Atkinson. We’d tasted the high life! It’s better to win well with style and hold to higher principles, I felt. But, as with politics, Roy stayed the pragmatist. Maybe, like football like life. Anyway, we agreed to disagree. A very minor encounter, but a nice personal memory of the man. Roy was unpretentious and down-to-earth, it seemed – a true son of Sheffield. RIP,” John Williams reminisced.
“I think there should be an extension to football rules based on the rehydration breaks introduced by Fifa. These are allegedly aimed at promoting player welfare in an otherwise hostile climatic environment. I look forward to Aberdeen, Inverness and other clubs of an Arctic disposition introducing hot toddy breaks in each half from November through to February in the coming season to combat hypothermia,”
“Yesterday’s Football Daily on Sweden’s road to the tournament brought to mind one of our Finns’ traditional nicknames for Sweden and Swedes: ‘Gladstone Gander’. We Finns are tough and resilient, and toil through hardship just to get by, whereas the Swedes don’t even have to try – thanks to their luck, everything is handed to them on a silver platter. Well, back to reality: Sweden are a hell of a lot better than us at football. Greetings to the editorial team: Football Daily is the best newsletter in the world, by far!” Tuukka Tomperi reflected.
“Following on from Nigel Sanders (yesterday’s letters), to really ramp up the booze theme, D1ck Advocaat could employ some specific tactics: instruct Curaçao to use lots of highballs; aim for the goal, don’t hit the bar; and if there are penalties, make sure you don’t bottle it when taking your shots,” Tom Murray-Rust added.
If you have any, please send letters to the.boss@. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day is … John Williams. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here.
Listen up! It’s World Cup Daily on Cape Verde’s heroics.
Have a look! It’s World Cup Daily on Cape Verde’s heroics.
PICTURE THIS
Marcelo Bielsa has never adhered to conventional methods. Whether it’s perched on a blue bucket in the dugout, conducting demanding “Murderball” training sessions, or insisting on a team litter-pick, El Loco is truly a managerial original. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Bielsa declined to participate in a recent GWC photoshoot for Fifa. The 70-year-old stood expressionless, staring at the floor with his hands in his pockets during the required media duty last Wednesday. “I’m not a model,” Bielsa succinctly stated. He further elaborated with a series of peculiar existential inquiries. “There is a limit in terms of what we need to explain. If I’m wearing glasses, why am I wearing glasses? You look somebody in the eye, why do you do that? There is nothing wrong about wearing glasses or looking into somebody’s eyes or looking down.” Perhaps they should have just photographed the bucket.
- This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.
This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.
