Cape Verde's Vozinha has won his family - and the hearts of football fans worldwide - another battle ahead of Sunday's crunch match against Uruguay. The emotional wellspring that is Ana Candida Evora will finally get to join her son on US soil, cheering him on as he takes to the pitch in Miami.
It's a triumph of goodwill over bureaucratic red tape, thanks to the swift intervention of US House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. In a move that echoes the World Cup spirit, all visa fees have been waived for Ms Evora, ensuring she can be there to witness her son's historic exploits up close.
The initial hurdle had been daunting: Cape Verde was one of several countries where nationals faced the eye-watering requirement to post a £11,200 returnable bond to enter the States. Although this draconian rule was later scrapped for World Cup ticket holders, the financial barrier remained a significant obstacle for Ms Evora - until now.
Vozinha's 40-year-old talent has taken the tournament by storm since Cape Verde's first-ever World Cup point against Spain. The emotional toll of his mother's absence was palpable as he fought back tears after that match, revealing how much her presence had meant to him. Mr Jeffries' words echo the sentiments of fans everywhere: "No mother should miss the chance to see her child make history."
As for Ms Evora, reports suggest she's now on the path to securing a valid Cape Verde passport - a precursor to applying for her visa in earnest. And while she may have missed out on watching her son's earlier heroics from afar (from their home island of São Vicente), she'll get to experience it all firsthand come Sunday.