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FIFA World Cup 2026 Today Match Highlights: In one of the biggest results in the ongoing FIFA World Cup, debutants Cape Verde held on to a 0-0 draw with firm favourites Spain in the Group H opener at the Mercedes Benz Stadium at Atlanta on Monday.
The star of the show was undoubtedly the Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha who stood like a wall and repelled everything the Spanish armada threw at him, pulling off 3 crucial saves in the first half to deny Ferran Torres which kept the small African nation firmly in the match.
Spain will rue not taking the chances on offer with Mikel Oyarzabal, Torres and Fabian Ruiz guilty of missing almost certain goal-scoring chances. After Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were introduced in the second half, Spain improved a bit but could not penetrate a solid Cape Verde backline, ultimately sharing the points with them.
FOLLOW SPAIN VS CAPE VERDE GROUP H WORLD CUP MATCH BELOW
Last corner for Spain you would think as the added 5 mins are almost over. Oyarzabal gets a free header and HE HAS AGONIZINGLY PUT IT WIDE!!! AND THAT'S THAT!! Cape Verde has kept out Spain and the two teams will share points. Extraordinary performance. What a fairytale start by the tiny little African nation.
FT: ESP 0-0 CPV
Yellow card for Pedri now as he stops a Cape Verde breakaway. Who would have thought this coming in? The little African nation is keeping the Euro champions at bay!!
ESP 0-0 CPV
Yamal has given it straight back to Cape Verde and Pina lets loose a shot and that's gone out for a corner. Nothing off it as Cucurella is set free and his cross is blocked as well. Corner for Spain and that's cleared as well.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Last throw of the dice from de la Fuente as he brings on Nico Williams. With both flanks now set up to stretch Cape Verde. And Yamal dinks the ball into the feet of Olmo in the penalty box who feeds Oyarzabal and he shoots but a block takes the ball over for a corner!! Nothing much off it though.
ESP 0-0 CPV
We are now reaching the fag end of the match and that hacked shot by Rodri sums up Spain's night. They have been frustrated and have been frustrating. Even with the introduction of Yamal, they hardly created anything. Unless they can switch gears in the last few mins, we might be looking at a very happy Cape Verde team.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Yamal latches on to a through ball and he gets Spain a corner. Meanwhile, Torres is off and Olmo is on. Oh wait, the VAR has ruled that it's not a corner but a goal kick which Capo Verde promptly hands the ball to Spain.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Cape Verde can't get out with Spain hovering around their box constantly. The ball finds Yamal who feeds Llorente whose cross is blocked. Pedri gets the ball and shoots but that's also blocked!!
ESP 0-0 CPV
And just like that he creates his first chance of the match when he feeds Merino with a low cross which the Arsenal player can't finish. The tempo will increase now.
ESP 0-0 CPV
And we have the big guns coming in. Yamal and Merino on for Gavi and Ruiz. A huge roar greets Yamal's arrival. And Spain need a moment of magic from their superstar winger.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Spain need something, anything as they are relegated to just swarm around the Cape Verde penalty box. There's loud boos from the Spanish supporters as they egg their team on to produce something.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Cape Verde have made three changes as their legs are tiring. Spain might have to bring in the big guns from their bench as well with the players in the field currently lacking a little bit of creativity.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Mistake from Borges as his clearance finds a Spanish player but the ball goes out for a corner. The African nation deals with it but Spain keep coming. Fabian Ruiz with a cross and who else but Vozinha to gather!!
ESP 0-0 CPV
And there's another chance that goes begging as Fabian Ruiz has found a bit of space as the ball is lofted in from the left side. He has a free header but can't do anything with it as Vozinha gathers.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Oyarzabal gets the ball in the left side and what did he just do?? He has kickerd the ball but it's neither a cross or a shot as it goes over the bar!! Did he intend that? Cape Verde won't complain though.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Spain win the ball back in midfield and Ruiz gets the ball in the right side and he shoots but it's over the bar!! Should have at least tested the keeper from there.
ESP 0-0 CPV
We are back for live action and Spain will kick us off. Let's check if something changes or not. And the second half starts just the way as the first with Spain with the lion's share of the possession. Pedri with a cross and Ruiz's glancing header does not find a teammate.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Last chance this half falls to Oyarzabal who tries to head a ball which was crossed by Llorente. And the referee blows for half time. Cape Verde will be very happy with the result going into half time. They have successfully kept out one of the most free-scoring teams of the World Cup.
HT: ESP 0-0 CPV
4 mins of added time in this half now and Spain have a corner. Last chance for them to get something from this half. Pedri floats it in and Laporte with a glancing header but the Cape Verde goalie Vozinha with another save!!!
ESP 0-0 CPV
WOW!!! WHAT A CHANCE!!! Cucurella with a minus as Gavi feints as he lets the ball pass and it falls to Ferran Torres who shoots and the goalie gathers!! Clear chance but Torres does not do enough.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Cape Verde breaking away!!! What will they do with the ball?? Nothing much as Spain take the ball back. The player in question for Cape Verde ran out of room and ideas. And there's a melee in the penalty box which comes to nothing.
ESP 0-0 CPV
CHANCE FOR CABO VERDE as Cabral tries a shot from a very difficult angle and he has skied it. Spain move away with the ball and they are Ruiz plays it wide to Llorente. Pedri gets rthe ball, thinks about a shot but passes. Great pass by Rodri to find Cucurella who heads it to the path of Torres who hits the bar and he gets another chance for a header but the goalie saves it!!
ESP 0-0 CPV
Ferran Torres uses his body to stop a Capo Verde breakaway. How he escaped a yellow is anyone's guess. Nothing comes off the set piece as Spain get the ball back and start their own attack. And Livramento gets the ball near the centre circle and he tries to be cheeky and shots directly at the Spain goal from thee but it's way wide.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Oyarzabal goes through on goal and his first touch lets him down!!! It looked to be a sure-shot chance but the Real Sociedad player has made a meal out of it!! This was also his first touch in the penalty box in 30 mins.
ESP 0-0 CPV
HALF CHANCE FOR CUCURELLA!! The ball drops kindly for the Spanish defender and he puts his laces through it for a volley that has gone high and wide. Will go down as a chance.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Back from the break and Cape Verde are trying to go on the attack as Moreira tries a shot but is blocked by Cucurella. The debutants get a throw in but Spain has taken the possession back.
ESP 0-0 CPV
And we will have the hydration break now. Cape Verde will be the happier of the side as they have done very well to keep the 2010 World Champions in check. Will the momentum swing after the break? We'll find out soon.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Spain have 62% of the possession after the first 20 minutes but they are doing nothing with it. All their attempts have been nipped in the bud by the sturdy Cape Verde backline.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Llorente almost goes through but he overruns the ball and wastes a chance to cross. Cabral, who is on a yellow card, makes the challenge and successfully comes out with the ball. But this move will keep Llorente interested.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Except for that Oyarzabal half chance, Spain haven't been able to create much as they have been kept in check by the disciplined Cape Verde defence. Pedri finds a bit of space near the edge of the box and he shoots but has no power as the goalie gathers easily.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Spain have a corner now as Llorente's run is halted by a defensive tackle. What can the La Roja do? Pedri to take and that's a waste as he gives it straight back to the African side, who promptly lose the ball in the midfield again. Pedri with a cross and Lopez clears it with Oyarzabal almost through for a header.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Cape Verde players are content to just knock around the ball in their half but whenever they try to break, they end up giving the ball straight back to the Spanish players. Laporte tries a dink pass over the defence for Cucurella in the left but it's cleared.
ESP 0-0 CPV
It's been just 5 minutes and we already understand how this game will flow. Spain will keep all the possession and Cape Verde will hope to break on the counter. This has been a vintage Spain start to the match.
ESP 0-0 CPV
Cape Verde (in white) will start us off against Spain (in red). They have already given the ball to the Euro 2024 winners. They will need to be patient to penetrate this defence. And Cucurella, who just transferred to Real Madrid from Chelsea earlier in the day, has given away a foul.
ESP 0-0 CPV
And the formalities are all done. It's time for some footballing action. Spain lining up with 4-1-2-3 while Cape Verde will start with 4-2-3-1 formation. Let's get to it then.
Both sets of players, including subs have lined up beside each other as they make their way out into the pitch. There'll they'll form a circle which is one of the new traditions of this World Cup. And here come the national anthems, first Spain's, followed by Cape Verde's.
Cape Verde have no reason to change what brought them to the dance: A solid defence. They kept 7 cleans heets in 10 of theur qualifying matches, not even conceding a single goal when playing at home. Against Spain, they should not be as naive to go totally on the offensive and look to survive rather than go for a straight win.
Cape Verde will be wary of fellow debutants Curacao's fate against another European powerhouse just last night when Germany thrashed the minnows 7-1, in a ruthless display which mirrored their demolition of Brazil in 2014. With Spain a pretty free-scoring side, expect Cape Verde to play with a much more solid backline.
As mentioned before, Spain has kept their most potent weapon Lamine Yamal under wraps for this match-up while Atletico Bilbao's Nico Williams also starts on the bench. Meanwhile, Gavi gets his first start in Spanish colours since June 5 of last year.
David Villa – 9 goals
Fernando Morientes – 5 goals
Emilio Butragueno – 5 goals
Raul – 5 goals
Fernando Hierro – 5 goals
While Spain have a decent record against African sides in the World Cup, their most recent competitive fixture against one saw them getting dumped out from the 2022 edition in Qatar where Morocco eliminated them via penalty shootout.
Spain subs: David Raya, Joan Garcia, Marc Pubill, Alex Grimaldo, Eric Garcia, Pedro Porro, Mikel Merino, Alex Baena, Martin Zubimendi, Dani Olmo, Yeremy Pino, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Victor Munoz, Borja Iglesias
Cape Verde subs: CJ dos Santos, Stopira, Logan Costa, Joao Paulo, Gilson Benchimol, Garry Rodrigues, Marcio Rosa, Deroy Duarte, Yannick Semedo, Willy Semedo, Telmo Arcanjo, Nuno da Costa, Wagner Pina, Kelvin Pires, Helio Varela
Spain: Unai Simon, Marc Cucurella, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Marcos Llorente, Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, Pedri, Gavi, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres
Cape Verde: Vozinha, Steven Moreira, Pico Lopes, Diney Borges, Sidny Cabral, Ryan Mendes, Kevin Pina, Jamiro Monteiro, Laros Duarte, Jovane Cabral, Dailon Livramento
This is the biggest World Cup in history with 48 teams instead of the traditional 32. The expansion also means more number of matches with 104 games with 12 groups. The top 2 teams of each group advances to the round of 32 alongwith the 8 best third-placed teams. From the R32, it's knockouts till 2 teams are left standing for the final.
Luis de la Fuente has transformed Spain into an unstoppable juggernaut with the team losing just twice 42 matches since he took over after the team's Round of 16 exit at the 2022 World Cup. Since then, the mild mannered coach has helped Spain win the Nations League as well as Euro 2024 with de la Fuente boasting a win percentage of 73.81.
Spain is likely to line up with a second string side vs Cape Verde tonight with their main star Lamine Yamal just coming back from an injury setback. Nico Williams will also likely to be upset as Spain look to keep their big names fresh ahead of daunting encounters vs Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
1930: Did not enter
1934: Quarterfinals
1938: Rejected by FIFA
1950: 4th place
1954: Did not qualify
1958: Did not qualify
1962: Group Stage
1966: Group Stage
1970: Did not qualify
1974: Did not qualify
1978: Group Stage
1982: Second Group Stage
1986: Quarterfinals
1990: Round of 16
1994: Quarterfinals
1998: Group Stage
2002: Quarterfinals
2006: Round of 16
2010: CHAMPIONS
2014: Group Stage
2018: Round of 16
2022: Round of 16
June 12: Mexico 2-0 South Africa
June 12: South Korea 2-1 Czechia
June 13: Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
June 13: USA 4-1 Paraguay
June 14: Qatar 1-1 Switzerland
June 14: Brazil 1-1 Morocco
June 14: Haiti 0-1 Scotland
June 14: Australia 2-0 Turkey
June 14: Germany 7-1 Curacao
June 15: Netherlands 2-2 Japan
June 15: Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador
June 15: Sweden 5-1 Tunisia
June 15: Spain vs. Cape Verde (Atlanta)
June 15: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay (Miami)
June 21: Spain vs Saudi Arabia (Atlanta)
June 21: Uruguay vs Cape Verde (Miami)
June 26: Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia (Houston)
June 26: Uruguay vs Spain (Zapopan)
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Republic of Korea, Czechia
Group B: Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo, Uzbekistan
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Spain: W D D W D W
Cape Verde: W W D L D D
Spain and Cape Verde haven't ever played against one another, even in friendlies. So the World Cup clash between the two teams will be the first time they ever go head to head which is a historic moment in itself.
ESP: Unai Simon (GK); Marc Cucurella, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsi, Pedro Porro; Pedri, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz; Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres
CPV: Vozinha (GK); Joao Paulo, Logan Costa, Pico, Steven Moreira; Kevin Pina, Yannick Semedo; Jovane Cabral, Jamiro Monteiro, Ryan Mendes; Dailon Livramento
Cape Verde are the second smallest nation after Iceland in 2018, to qualify for a FIFA World Cup. It's a big moment for the players and fans but they need to be vary of the gulf in quality. They just need to look at how another debutant Curacao was thumped by a ruthless German team on Sunday night to know what might await them against Spain. Or they could pull off an upset. This is football after all.
2010 champions Spain will start off their World Cup 2026 campaign against debutants Cape Verde in the Group H opener at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta Georgia on Monday. Spain are the overwhelming favourites to win the whole thing while Cape Verde are tipped to finish last in this group which also has Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Follow us live to find out who comes out on top tonight.
Luis de la Fuente bears little resemblance, in temperament, to Jose Mourinho. Spain’s head coach possesses none of the Portuguese’s rodomontade. Such is his commitment to humility that when Deportivo Alaves sacked him three months into the job, midfielder Carlos Indiano suggested it was partly because de la Fuente was too nice. (READ MORE)
