The shot came in from the edge of the box in the 97th minute, aimed for the left corner. Vozinha stretched, caught it, and Colo-Colo had their 35th league title.
Monday night at the Estadio Nelson Oyarzún in Chillán. Colo-Colo had led through an Arturo Vidal volley after 14 minutes, been pegged back by Lucas Molina 15 minutes later, and only pulled clear again when Marcos Bolados struck in the 92nd. Head coach Fernando Ortiz still needed one last save from his Cape Verdean goalkeeper.
Four months ago Vozinha was holding Spain to a goalless draw at the World Cup. Three clean sheets later, Cape Verde had reached the knockout round of a World Cup for the first time in their history, and the 40-year-old had become one of the breakout figures of the tournament. He signed for Colo-Colo in late July on a short-term deal after leaving Portuguese second-tier side Chaves.
A first trophy at 40
Vozinha has played only five Primera División matches in Chile and kept one clean sheet. But he told reporters the night meant more than the minute count suggests.
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“I believe this is a reward for everything I have given throughout my life and my football career. I am very happy with this achievement.”
Argentine daily Infobae described it as the first senior title of his career. The same was true for Ortiz, who lifted a top-flight league trophy for the first time as head coach.
Vidal, Bolados and 10 clear
Colo-Colo finished the matchday on 61 points with three Clausura fixtures still to be played, ten clear of Universidad de Chile, and sealed a place in the 2027 Copa Libertadores with the result. Vidal’s 14th-minute volley and Bolados’s 92nd-minute winner, set up by Javier Correa, bracketed Molina’s equalizer for Ñublense.
Cape Verde, from a distance
Vozinha’s post-match words went back home.
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“I dedicate this title to my entire family, to everyone in Cape Verde, to all my team-mates and to all Colo-Colo fans.”
His six-month contract runs until December, with an automatic renewal clause if he passes 50% of league minutes played. Colo-Colo’s three remaining Clausura fixtures will determine whether that clause is triggered.
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