Cape Verde pulled off the shock of the 2026 World Cup so far as they held European champions Spain to a battling goalless draw in their Group H opener in Atlanta, The Irish News reports.
Despite seeing plenty of possession in the first half, Luis De La Fuente’s team – who started with Lamine Yamal on the bench – were unable to break down a determined Cape Verde defence, as Ferran Torres hit the crossbar from close range.
Veteran Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha produced a fine reaction save to deny Torres and then tipped away Aymeric Laporte’s glancing header from a corner as the World Cup debutants got into half-time on level terms.
Yamal – who had been out since April with a hamstring problem and missed the final weeks of Barcelona’s LaLiga-winning campaign – was eventually sent on with 20 minutes left, but Spain could not find a way past Vozinha as the Blue Sharks held out for a famous result.
