Spain open World Cup with goalless draw against Cape Verde
Cape Verde held European champions Spain 0-0 in Atlanta in the island nation’s first World Cup match, AFP reported.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Spain began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde in Atlanta, a result AFP reported as a poor start for one of the tournament favourites. Cape Verde, playing at the World Cup for the first time, kept the European champions scoreless and came close to taking all three points late on.
AFP reported that Spain controlled possession but struggled to turn that advantage into clear chances, continuing a pattern that has followed the team at recent World Cups. Since winning the tournament in 2010, Spain have not won a knockout match, according to AFP.
Lamine Yamal started on the bench as Spain managed his return from a hamstring injury that had kept him out for nearly two months, AFP reported. The Barcelona forward came on in the second half, lifting the crowd and giving Spain’s attack more urgency, but Cape Verde’s defence held firm.
Nico Williams also began among the substitutes after an injury-affected season with Athletic Bilbao, according to AFP. He was not brought on until the 87th minute, leaving Spain without two of its key attacking players for most of the match.
Cape Verde frustrate Spain
Cape Verde entered the match ranked 67th in the world, AFP reported, and were making their first appearance on football’s biggest stage. The draw marked a notable result for a country with a population of just over 500,000, according to AFP.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente had said his squad was the best in the competition, AFP reported, and Spain were viewed as contenders to win the final on July 19. The opening performance, however, left Spain with work to do before their next group match.
The match was played in Atlanta’s air-conditioned stadium, where AFP reported that the indoor conditions contrasted with the heat faced by teams elsewhere in the tournament. Fans booed a mid-half hydration break despite the cool setting, according to AFP.
Spain took until the closing stages of the first half to create their strongest spell, AFP reported. Marc Cucurella, after completing a move from Chelsea to Real Madrid, delivered a cross that Ferran Torres turned against the bar before Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha recovered to save Mikel Oyarzabal’s header.
AFP reported that Torres forced another save soon after, and Aymeric Laporte had a header from a corner kept out by Vozinha before halftime. Cape Verde then steadied after the break and limited Spain until Yamal entered following the second hydration break.
Late chance for Cape Verde
Yamal’s first involvement helped create a shooting chance for substitute Mikel Merino, but AFP reported that the effort was close enough for Vozinha to deal with. Yamal also started the move that led to Oyarzabal’s deflected attempt, Spain’s best opening of the second half, according to AFP.
Cape Verde nearly won the match in the 90th minute when Dani Borges headed toward goal, AFP reported, but the effort was too close to Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Spain’s 2010 title run also began with a defeat, against Switzerland, AFP noted. Spain next face Saudi Arabia in Atlanta on Sunday, while Cape Verde play Uruguay in Miami, according to AFP.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.