Spain vs Cape Verde Islands: Winners & losers - Vozinha stuns European champions

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·15 juin 2026

Spain vs Cape Verde Islands: Winners & losers - Vozinha stuns European champions

Spain's World Cup campaign began with a shock as Cape Verde Islands held the European champions to a 0-0 draw in their first ever World Cup match. Despite dominating with 74% possession and 27 shots, Spain failed to break down a resolute Cape Verde defense marshalled by veteran goalkeeper Vozinha. GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Spain v Cape Verde Islands.

Winners

Vozinha (Cape Verde Islands)

The 40-year-old goalkeeper delivered one of the great World Cup debut performances, making seven saves to preserve Cape Verde's historic clean sheet against the European champions. His full-stretch fingertip stop to deny Aymeric Laporte's header at the far post in first-half stoppage time set the tone for an evening where he proved unbeatable.

Vidéos OneFootball

Vozinha repeatedly thwarted Spain's attackers throughout the 90 minutes. He saved Ferran Torres twice in the first half, including after the forward's shot had already struck the post. In the second half, he denied Fabián Ruiz's header, Rodri's effort following Lamine Yamal's involvement, and Marc Cucurella's header to maintain his resistance.

His performance transformed what could have been a heavy defeat into a landmark result for Cape Verde football. The veteran goalkeeper's display ensured his nation walked away from their World Cup debut against the reigning European champions with a point that had seemed inconceivable before kick-off.

Diney Borges (Cape Verde Islands)

The center-back commanded Cape Verde's defensive line with a dominant display that frustrated Spain throughout the match. His repeated clearances from set pieces and crosses denied Spain's attackers any easy opportunities, clearing everything that entered his zone in the penalty area during a relentless evening of defending.

Borges won aerial duels against Spain's forwards, blocked shots, and provided the organizational backbone that allowed Cape Verde to maintain their compact shape. His heading ability proved crucial given Spain's reliance on crosses and corners, marshalling his defensive partners effectively throughout the 90-plus minutes of intense pressure.

His leadership at the heart of the defense was instrumental in recording a historic clean sheet. When combined with Vozinha's heroics, Borges' contribution ensured Cape Verde absorbed everything Spain threw at them and emerged with a result that will be celebrated in their nation's football history.

Loser

Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain)

Spain's central striker endured a difficult evening, squandering multiple clear opportunities that could have decided the match. Operating as the focal point of the attack, Oyarzabal appeared out of rhythm and was wasteful when presented with chances inside and around the penalty area throughout the game.

His header from close range in first-half stoppage time went straight past the goal when he failed to direct the ball properly. He missed again in the 53rd minute trying to catch Vozinha off guard, and his 88th-minute effort struck Roberto Lopes before deflecting over the bar, each miss compounding Spain's frustration.

With Spain dominating possession and creating numerous openings, Oyarzabal's failure to convert proved costly. The striker's poor finishing was the primary reason the European champions departed with only a point, undermining the team's overwhelming territorial advantage and leaving their World Cup opener without reward.