Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
Group H action kicked off on Monday with one of the greatest World Cup 2026 shocks of all time as Luis de la Fuente’s Spain were held to a goalless draw by the new boys from Cape Verde.
The Blue Sharks said they came to the tournament to enjoy themselves and, my word, they certainly did that as they frustrated some of the best players on the planet with a performance full of heart and bravery.
I admit I was sceptical whether the move to increase the number of nations competing to 48 would be worthwhile or throw up too many mismatches, and I fully expected this game to be a case in point. But I’m beginning to change my mind because the heroes of the tiny islands off the coast of Africa, with a population of just over half a million, certainly deserve to be here.
This will be, without doubt, the biggest surprise of all the World Cup 2026 results on a night Cape Verde will cherish forever.
Highlights of the game
The Blue Sharks will never forget their first ever World Cup finals experience, and their fans were in wonderland as they went into the half time break at 0-0. It was comfortable for over half an hour before they had to defend for their lives, with keeper Vozinha in outstanding form. The underdogs were well organised, defending stubbornly and they got out of their half from time to time, Dailon Livramento even tried an audacious shot from the half way line.
Spain came within inches of scoring on 39 minutes when Marc Cucurella met a beautiful cross from Rodri and headed the ball back into the path of Ferran Torres, but the Barca man smashed his shot against the bar with the goal gaping. Mikel Oyarzabal sent a looping header back in off the rebound and Vozinha brilliantly tipped over. With the minutes ticking away the Cape Verde keeper got down smartly to deny Torres again and then, in first half injury time he scrambled to keep out a header from Aymeric Laporte.
Captain and talisman Ryan Mendes picked up his 99th Cape Verde cap on Monday and he must have been a proud man at half time, as would his manager Bubista, while the 40-year-old Vozinha was in line for a man-of-the-match award.
The second half began as the first ended with Spain camped in the Africans’ half and Fabian Ruiz took two potshots which flew over the Cape Verde bar. But the Blue Sharks continued to defend with all their might, forcing De la Fuente to make two changes on 70 minutes; bringing on Lamine Yamal and Mikel Merino for Gavi and Ruiz. And the changes almost made an immediate impact. After great work from Yamal on the flank Merino fired in a low, hard shot but again Votinha was equal to it. And the Blue Sharks last line of defence stood firm again to stop a Cucurella header.
De la Fuente’s last roll of the dice saw Nico Williams come on to replace Rodri, with just three minutes of normal time remaining and La Roja almost scored again. Oyarzabal hit a first time effort destined for the back of the net, but defender Pico Lopez somehow deflected his shot over the bar and to safety. Cape Verde even had a late corner which Diney Borges headed into the arms of Unai Simon. Everyone in the stadium were on their feet and when Oyarzabal glanced a last gasp header wide the celebrations began.
Key statistics
This was a clash between one of football’s elite football powers and a new entrant to the higher echelons of the game and in my SBOTOP preview of the match I said Spain would win by three clear goals, but with after a goalless first half I began to wonder. La Roja only really got going over the last ten minutes and they finished with 12 goal attempts to Cape Verde’s three and four to nil on target.
With a final tally of 27 shots to six and seven to one on target the story was clear; Cape Verde worked wonders and deserved their point.
What’s next?
The World Cup 2026 betting odds made La Roja as the tournament favourites and they probably still are…but what a night for the Blue Sharks! The other two Group H members, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay meet on Monday evening and then, in the next round on June 21st Spain face Saudi while Cape Verde will meet Uruguay.
Elsewhere France start their Group I campaign with a clash against Senegal on Tuesday while England face 2022 semi-finalists Croatia on Wednesday night.
Les Bleus and the Three Lions will do well to outdo the Blue Sharks though!
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