World Cup debutants Cape Verde produced one of the most stunning results the tournament has seen in years, holding Spain to a goalless draw in their Group H opener in Atlanta. It ranks among the biggest World Cup shocks in recent memory.
One of the smallest nations by population ever to reach the finals, Cape Verde sat 67th in the latest world rankings and were widely expected to be swept aside by a Spain side ranked second and tipped as one of the favourites. You can see how the Blue Sharks earned their place among the 48 qualified teams on our full guide.
Instead, the reigning European champions toiled in attack for long spells, and whenever they did threaten, 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha stood firm with a string of outstanding saves.
Vozinha the hero between the posts
Cape Verde reached a first World Cup by topping a qualifying group that also featured Cameroon, yet few expected them to trouble a Spain team many believe could lift the trophy for a second time.
There were heroes all over the pitch in Cape Verde shirts, but veteran goalkeeper Vozinha was chief among them. He was close to tears as his team-mates mobbed him at the final whistle. The Chaves stopper, who plays in the Portuguese second tier, turned away efforts from Ferran Torres and Aymeric Laporte just before the break and was always quick off his line to claim crosses.
In front of their goalkeeper, Cape Verde held two rigid defensive lines and dealt comfortably with Spain’s patient build-up for most of the contest. Spain had 27 shots in all, but only seven found the target.
Yamal returns but Spain misfire
Spain’s clearest first-half opening fell to Ferran Torres, who met Marc Cucurella’s header back across the six-yard box only to clip the crossbar under pressure from Vozinha. Late on, Mikel Oyarzabal, the man who scored the Euro 2024 final winner against England, was denied by a superb block from Shamrock Rovers defender Roberto Lopes.
Spain were almost punished at the other end as they pushed for a winner, with Cape Verde defender Diney Borges heading a corner straight at Unai Simon to spare them an even more embarrassing afternoon.
The introduction of Lamine Yamal off the bench lifted both the team and the travelling support, but the Barcelona teenager could not conjure a decisive moment on his World Cup debut. It was his first appearance in almost eight weeks following a hamstring injury, and his first match since Barcelona faced Celta Vigo on 22 April. The return of fellow winger Nico Williams was another rare bright spot.
A point that could make history
With the eight best third-placed sides advancing to the new Round of 32, the point gained against much-fancied Spain hands Cape Verde real belief that they can reach the knockout phase. Our breakdown of the 2026 World Cup format explains exactly how those third-placed spots are decided.
Should they hold on, the Blue Sharks would become the first African debutants to reach the knockout stage of a World Cup since Ghana in 2006.
Familiar territory for Spain
A stuttering start is nothing new for Spain. They lost their 2010 opener 1-0 to Switzerland before going on to win the tournament, then were thrashed 5-1 by the Netherlands in their first match of 2014 and crashed out at the group stage. Two last-16 exits followed in the editions after that, as our World Cup records and all-time stats page shows.
There is also recent precedent for recovery. Argentina were beaten by Saudi Arabia in their opening game in Qatar in 2022, then rallied to become world champions for a third time. Spain must improve sharply to live up to their billing, but their challenge is far from over.
What’s next for both teams
Spain return to Atlanta to face Saudi Arabia in their second Group H fixture on Sunday at 17:00 BST. Cape Verde take on Uruguay in Miami later the same day, kicking off at 23:00. Full fixtures and timings are on our 2026 World Cup schedule and key dates guide.
