Cape Verde hold reigning champions Spain to goalless draw in World Cup Group H opener

Cape Verde earned one of the most remarkable results in their footballing history on Wednesday, holding reigning European champions Spain to a goalless draw in their World Cup Group H opener at Atlanta.

Luis De La Fuente’s side dominated possession throughout but were repeatedly frustrated by a disciplined Cape Verde defence and the heroics of veteran goalkeeper Vozinha. Ferran Torres struck the crossbar from close range in the first half before Vozinha produced a sharp reaction save to deny him moments later, then tipped away Aymeric Laporte’s glancing header from a corner to send the Blue Sharks into the break level.

Spain started without Lamine Yamal, who had been sidelined since April with a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the final weeks of Barcelona’s La Liga-winning campaign. The teenage winger was introduced with 20 minutes remaining in an attempt to unlock the Cape Verde backline, but even his arrival could not unpick a defence that held firm to the final whistle.

For Cape Verde, appearing at the World Cup for the first time, the point represents a landmark moment. Their organised, physical display neutralised a Spain team that had swept through Euro 2024 and arrived in the United States as one of the tournament’s most feared attacking sides.

The result leaves Group H wide open from the outset, with Spain forced to regroup ahead of their remaining fixtures. Cape Verde, meanwhile, will take enormous confidence from a performance that demonstrated they are more than capable of competing at this level.