How Cape Verde frustrated Spain in one of the World Cup’s most incredible upsets | OneFootball

European champions Spain were enormous favourites going into their World Cup opener against Cape Verde, with 65 places separating the two sides in the FIFA World Rankings. On paper, it was supposed to be a routine start for one of the tournament favourites. In reality, we witnessed one of the great World Cup defensive displays as Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw in Atlanta.

Spain struggle to break down the Blue wall

After ten minutes, Spain had still failed to register a shot on target, a sign of how well Cape Verde were able to hold their defensive structure and deny any access to dangerous areas.

By the first hydration break, Spain had 69% possession but had only managed three shots in total, with the only one on target being a weak Pedri effort from distance that rolled comfortably into the goalkeeper’s hands. From those three attempts, Spain generated just 0.07 xG, underlining just how effectively the African side had contained them.

Cape Verde’s defensive organisation was immediately evident. A wide player would consistently track Spain’s full-backs, effectively turning their structure into a back six at times and preventing Spain from dominating in wide areas.

The tactical contrast was further highlighted by Spain’s use of Gavi on the left wing, a decision that stood out given his very different profile compared to a natural left-sided winger like Nico Williams. Against a side defending so deeply, Spain lacked directness and ability to consistently beat a man in wide areas.

More natural alternatives such as Crystal Palace’s Yeremy Pino or reported Newcastle target Victor Muñoz were available, but Luis De La Fuente had clearly chosen a setup focusing more on control.

Cucurella’s key role

Despite that, Spain’s most consistent attacking threat still came down their left-hand side, where Marc Cucurella was heavily involved in almost everything positive. Fresh off the back of his move to Real Madrid, Cucurella repeatedly made dangerous runs in behind and became Spain’s key outlet in breaking Cape Verde’s line.

He had one moment just before half-time where he was narrowly offside, leading to a promising opportunity, and soon after the same pattern emerged again as he beat the offside trap and headed across goal for Ferran Torres, who somehow struck the bar from close range.

Cucurella continued to cause problems, later picking out Torres again, only for the forward to be denied by a low save from the goalkeeper. It became increasingly clear that Spain’s attacking threat was leaning heavily on his movement and timing of his runs in behind, particularly as Cape Verde’s defensive shape was limiting space in central areas for the likes of Pedri and Fabián Ruiz.

Cape Verde’s defensive masterclass

Cape Verde, however, were not passive and solely defensive. They defended with aggression and organisation, picking their moments to press Spain and make them uncomfortable in possession.

As frustration began to grow in the Spanish side, that tension became more visible. Aymeric Laporte’s decision to shoot from 30 yards summed up a team running out of ideas against a disciplined and resolute opponent.

The amount of running that the African side put in to plug the gaps, and track the runners of the Spaniards was incredible. Even with 74% possession, La Roja could not find a way to break down their stubborn opponents.

While Spain did generate a few opportunities, they could not beat 40-year-old Vozinha in the Cape Verde goal. He made some incredible stops, with seven in total, as well as a number of brilliantly claimed crosses to take the pressure off his defence.

His last competitive game before today was in front of a crowd of less than 1000 people in the Portuguese Second Division. Tonight, he put in a man-of-the-match display to help his country keep the European Champions at bay.

The Lamine Yamal Impact

With 20 minutes remaining and the scores still level, the loudest reaction of the match arrived not for a goal, but for a substitution. Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old superstar who had battled to be fit for the tournament, was introduced from the bench.

Instantly the feel of the game changed. Every Spain player began to look towards Yamal and the impact was immediate, even without a goal, as their tempo increased. Cape Verde manager Bubista reacted quickly, removing already-booked Sidny Lopes Cabral from the contest as he attempted to manage the threat.

It was a moment that underlined both Spain’s desperation and Yamal’s effect on the game. It felt as though a superstar had arrived on the pitch, much like the feeling when Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo grace the pitch. It felt as though the goal was inevitable, but Cape Verde stayed composed and held on.

A World Cup defining result

In truth, while Spain were below their usual high standards, Cape Verde’s defensive performance was nothing short of heroic. Their structure and discipline made them extremely difficult to break down, and they remained organised for the full 90 minutes against one of the most talented attacking squads in world football.

With a little more quality in transition or from set-piece opportunities, Cape Verde may even have been able to turn their defensive resilience into the most sensational of victories. But in the end, they had done enough to take something historic from the game.

With the new 48-team structure to this World Cup, this is a game which looked like it was ‘pointless’ on paper. The format has been criticised for creating one-sided match-ups between footballing giants and minnows, like we saw yesterday when Germany thrashed Curaçao 7-1. But today we were witness to exactly what this format can bring.

On one hand, Cape Verde walked away with a result that will feel like a victory in every sense. It is comfortably the biggest moment in their footballing history, as the third-smallest nation ever to participate in a World Cup holding the current European champions and pre-tournament favourites to a 0-0 draw.

On the other, Spain will see this as a warning. They must improve and improve fast. Of course, they were missing important players like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams who will almost certainly elevate the Spanish team. But ultimately, they should be able to get past Cape Verde without the need to turn to a teenager and a winger who is coming off an injury-plagued season.

Overall, tonight we witnessed one of the most remarkable World Cup stories in recent memory, and perhaps the greatest 0-0 draw the tournament has ever produced.