Spain Held 0-0 by Cape Verde as Underdogs Make Dream World Cup Start

In the opening round of Group H at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Spain were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by Cape Verde, with both sides earning a point. Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha delivered a series of outstanding saves to keep the European giants at bay.

The result also produced the first goalless draw of the 2026 World Cup. Prior to this match, all 12 group-stage games had featured at least one team finding the back of the net.



38' Still no goal! Ferran Torres struck the crossbar from point-blank range after being presented with a golden opportunity, and his follow-up effort was brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper.
45' It's Ferran again! The Spanish forward found himself in another promising position inside the box, but his shot was comfortably gathered by the keeper.
45+2' Incredible! Cape Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper produced yet another world-class save, denying Aymeric Laporte's powerful header.
50' Fabián Ruiz cut inside and unleashed a shot from distance, but the ball sailed high into the stands.
71' Here he comes! Eighteen-year-old Lamine Yamal entered the match as a substitute, making his FIFA World Cup debut.
72' Immediate impact! Yamal burst down the flank and delivered a dangerous ball into the area, but Marcos Llorente's effort was straight at the goalkeeper, who made the save.

Starting Lineups
Spain Starting XI:
23-Unai Simón, 14-Aymeric Laporte, 5-Marcos Llorente, 24-Marc Cucurella, 22-Pau Cubarsí, 8-Fabián Ruiz (71' 6-Mikel Merino), 16-Rodri, 20-Pedri, 9-Gavi (71' 19-Lamine Yamal), 21-Mikel Oyarzabal, 7-Ferran Torres (81' 10-Dani Olmo)
Spain Substitutes:
1-David Raya, 13-Joan García, 3-Alejandro Grimaldo, 4-Eric García, 12-Pedro Porro, 2-Marc Pubill, 6-Mikel Merino, 10-Dani Olmo, 15-Álex Baena, 18-Martín Zubimendi, 26-Pablo Iglesias, 11-Yeremy Pino, 17-Nico Williams, 19-Lamine Yamal, 25-Muñoz

Cape Verde Starting XI:
1-Vozinha, 4-Pico, 22-Moreira, 3-Dini, 13-Cabral (76' 8-Paulo), 15-Laros (61' 14-Deroy), 10-Jamiro (79' 18-Arcanjo), 6-Kevin, 20-Mendes, 7-Jovane (61' 17-W. Semedo), 19-Livramento (61' 21-Da Costa)
Cape Verde Substitutes:
12-Márcio, 23-Dos Santos, 2-Stopira, 5-Costa, 25-Pires, 8-Paulo, 24-Wagner, 14-Deroy, 16-Y. Semedo, 18-Arcanjo, 21-Da Costa, 11-Rodrigues, 17-W. Semedo, 9-Benschimol, 26-Hélio.