While big stars like Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappé destroy records in the World Cup, the protagonism among goalkeepers has been played by players who arrived at the tournament practically anonymously.
Vozinha led a historic qualification to the round of 16 for newcomers Cape Verde, Eloy Room impressed with his collection of saves in the Curaçao goal and Benjamin Asare stood out with Ghana.
Below, an overview of these goalkeepers unknown to the general public who stood out in the first phase of the World Cup.
Little voice, in Messi’s path
Josimar José Évora Dias, Vozinha, 40, became a hero of Cape Verde, which next Friday (3) will be the opponent of Messi’s Argentina in the 32-team phase. He called it “a dream” to play against the Argentine.
“Many thought we weren’t going to win a single game,” he said, with pride. “Classifying is very rewarding,” he added.
His introduction to the World Cup was extraordinary: seven defenders who helped Cape Verde draw 0-0 with Spain in their Group H opener. And it wasn’t a flash in the pan.
Cape Verde amended new draws with Uruguay, 2-2, and Saudi Arabia, 0-0.
Vozinha, who has played 91 games with his national team, played last season for the modest GD Chaves in Portugal’s second division. He even worked as a garbage collector before starting a professional career in 2007 in his home country.
He passed through Angola before going to Europe, where he played for Zimbru, from Moldova, Gil Vicente from Portugal, AEL Limassol, from Cyprus, and AS Trencin, from Slovakia, before arriving at Chaves.
Over the course of the tournament, his Instagram account jumped from 50,000 followers to more than 17 million.
Room and its miraculous night
Another team debuting in the World Cup, Curaçao, was eliminated, but left behind a memorable performance from goalkeeper Room.
With 15 saves, the 37-year-old goalkeeper was a wall in the 0-0 draw between the Caribbean team and Ecuador in Group E.
It was the second most shots blocked by a goalkeeper in a World Cup match.
It was second only to Tim Howard’s 16 interventions in the clash between the United States and Belgium in the round of 16 of Brazil 2014, won 2-1 by the Europeans in extra time.
The negative point: Room conceded nine goals. Curaçao lost 7-1 in the debut against Germany and 2-0 in the farewell against Ivory Coast.
Even so, his moment of brilliance skyrocketed his popularity: he went from around 100 thousand followers on Instagram to more than 1 million.
He was MLS champion with the Columbus Crew, but currently plays for Miami FC, in the USL, considered the second division in the United States. He spent time in Holland, where he graduated, and Belgium.
Asare, tamer
At 33 years old, Benjamin Asare developed his career in Ghana, where he plays for the Accra Hearts of Oak club.
His explosion was late: he started playing for the Ghana national team last year.
The goalkeeper had his big night with four decisive saves in Ghana’s 0-0 draw against England in Group L. He tamed the relentless Harry Kane.
And he accepted this with incredible normality: “It’s my job […]. It’s normal, normal, even if you’re facing Harry Kane.”
Ghana only conceded goals in the last round of the group stage, when they lost 2-1 to Croatia.
Beach, a dose of youth
Patrick Beach, 22, was important to Australia’s ranking, with two clean sheets and a dozen saves.
Melbourne City’s goalkeeper in the A-League, the Australian Championship, had just two games with the team until the Cup.
Unlike Vozinha or Room, your age is an advantage when looking for a good contract on the market.
