15.6.2026
Cape Verde pulled off a World Cup shock by holding Spain to a 0-0 draw in the opening game of Group H on Monday.
The European champions and one of the tournament favourites could find a way past the debutants and their keeper Vozinha.
Despite dominating possession, Spain’s first real threat came late in the opening half when Ferran Torres somehow smashed a close-range shot off the bar and Cape Verde keeper Vozinha tipped over Mikel Oyarzabal’s header from the rebound.
Vozinha also denied Torres and Aymeric Laporte to keep the game goalless at the break and even the introduction of winger Lamine Yamal, returning from injury, failed to inspire Spain to victory. Vozinha made seven good saves and the 40 years old keeper was rewarded an instant 200,000 Instagram followers.
Cape Verde nearly snatched a famous victory in the final minute of the 90 when Dani Borges planted a header too close to Unai Simon.
A dogged Cape Verde side held on for a famous point in their first-ever World Cup game and even created late chances of their own as they threatened to cause an even bigger upset.
Since winning the World Cup for the first time in 2010, Spain have not won a knockout game and their inability to make dominance of possession count was reminiscent of their meek exits in 2018 and 2022.
Blessed with what coach Luis de la Fuente claimed is the best squad in the competition, Spain were considered among the pre-tournament favourites to go all the way and lift the World Cup on July 19.
Ranked 67 in the world, Cape Verde were making their debut on the global stage and did a nation of just over 500,000 people proud. Agency reports
