PHOTO: REUTERS

Ana Candida Evora poses for a photograph with her grandson Marvin Junior and granddaughter Lais Sofia before departing Cape Verde for the United States on Thursday -- a journey that means far more than crossing continents. When Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha broke down in tears after his Player of the Match performance against Spain, it was not only the emotion of a dream World Cup debut; it was also the pain of knowing his mother could not be there to witness it. Raised by his grandparents, who have since passed away, the 40-year-old dedicated his remarkable rise to the family that shaped him. After his emotional plea captured hearts around the world, US authorities stepped in, waiving a fee of up to $15,000 that citizens of dozens of countries were required to pay for a visa. They helped facilitate travel documents for Evora, allowing her to fly to Miami and watch her son play against Uruguay from the stands on Monday. “For me, this is very important,” Vozinha said. “To have her here, for me, it’s something special.”