Spain’s 0-0 with Cape Verde prompts look back at six World Cup shocks | OneFootball

Spain were held 0-0 by Cape Verde on the newcomers’ World Cup debut, a result that already jars in 2026. The European champions dropped points, while Cape Verde claimed their first at this level, probably the greatest achievement in their football history.

According to L'Équipe, here are six other landmark World Cup shocks.

1966, Middlesbrough. Double world champions Italy needed a point, but Pak Doo-ik struck on 41 minutes as North Korea won 1-0. Italy exited in the groups, North Korea reached the quarters before losing 5-3 to Portugal.

1982, Gijon. Debutants Algeria stunned West Germany 2-1, Rabah Madjer scoring, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge equalising, then Lakhdar Belloumi replying almost immediately. The favourites were left shamed.

1990, San Siro. Holders Argentina, led by Diego Maradona, were frustrated by Cameroon, who won 1-0 through François Omam-Biyik’s 67th-minute header, a statement in only their second World Cup.

2002, tournament opener. Champions and European title-holders France lost 1-0 to first-timers Senegal, Papa Bouba Diop scoring on 30 minutes. Zinédine Zidane was absent, yet France were still heavy favourites.

2014, Recife. In group D, Costa Rica beat Italy 1-0, Bryan Ruiz scoring on 44 minutes, then they shut the game down to complete the upset.

2022, Qatar. Argentina led through a 10th-minute Lionel Messi penalty, but Saudi Arabia replied via Saleh al-Shehri on 48 minutes and Salem al-Dawsari on 53. The Saudis held for 2-1, Argentina finished champions.

Source: L'Équipe