Lamine Yamal came off the bench, but could not save Spain as Cape Verde recorded one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal made his World Cup debut, but he could not help the 2010 champions to a win as Cape Verde secured an historic result in their first match in the competition’s history.
Spain’s dominance fail to pay off
Spain came into the match as the overwhelming favourite, and they tried to impose themselves early in the game.
Luis de la Fuente’s men started on the front foot, trying to work their way around a Cape Verde side that had only one game plan, which was to defend.
La Roja stuck to their tiki-taka style, with the Blue Sharks struggling to gain control of the possession.
However, despite Spain’s early dominance, they just could not find a way past the Cape Verdians. Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal was the one who found it the most difficult, as he failed to register a single shot in the first 30 minutes of the game.
0 – Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal is the first player on record since 1966 to play the first 30 minutes of a FIFA World Cup match without touching the ball once.
Peripheral. pic.twitter.com/Ym5xi1ufbg
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 15, 2026
Spain later found a way past Cape Verde’s defence, though, as Rodri found Marc Cucurella, who then set up Ferran Torres with a lovely cushion header.
However, the Barcelona striker could only hit the crossbar from close range. Torres’ missed opportunity was a huge let-off for Cape Verde, but Spain would get another chance minutes later.
La Roja once again created another goal-scoring opportunity, which fell into the legs of Fabian Ruiz. However, the PSG midfielder was denied by the 40-year-old Vozinha in Cape Verde’s goal.
🚨🇨🇻 𝐍𝐄𝐖: 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha vs. Spain:
• 1 clean sheet
• 7 saves
• 3 high claims
• 29 passes
• 15 recoveries
• 100% duels won
• Star of the match pic.twitter.com/0I6k9oYcNM— Pulse Sports Nigeria (@PulseSportsNG) June 15, 2026
Vozinha’s heroic performance ensured the Blue Sharks went into the break with the game tied after making four saves.
Cape Verde secure historic World Cup point
The second half started the same way the first ended, as Spain continued to dominate possession, pinning Cape Verde into their half.
However, just like the story in the first half, the 2010 champions struggled to create any real opportunity.
With time running out, De la Fuente turned to his bench by bringing on Yamal in the 71st minute of action. Although Yamal added more bite to Spain’s attack, they could not find the breakthrough.
Things could have even been worse for the Spanish side if Cape Verde had been better on the counter in the dying minutes.
Nonetheless, the Blue Sharks held on for a point against the tournament favourites in their first World Cup game.