Cape Verde hold Spain to shock draw on World Cup debut
World Cup debutants Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H match at the Atlanta stadium, on Monday. The tiny Island nation put on the performance of a lifetime to hold the European champions to a goalless draw in their first ever meeting, led by excellent first […]
World Cup debutants Cape Verde held Spain to a 0-0 draw in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group H match at the Atlanta stadium, on Monday.
The tiny Island nation put on the performance of a lifetime to hold the European champions to a goalless draw in their first ever meeting, led by excellent first half stops by 40-year-old goalkeeper Josimar José Évora Dias, known as Vozinha.
The veteran goalkeeper faced 27 shots with seven on target, and the Portugal-based shot-stopper ensued that the minnows left the field unscathed against the Spaniards with excellent saves, and coordinated the backline against the second-highest FIFA-ranked nation that mounted waves of attack against the Cape Verdeans.
Luis de La Fuente’s Spain enjoyed 72% possession without bulging the net despite bringing on wonderkid Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams Jr. in the second half to stretch their African opponents, but the defence stood firm blocking several shots.
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Cape Verde could have won it in added time with their only shot on target from a corner kick, but the header was comfortably saved by Unai Simon to save Spain more embarrassment.
The result ensured Cape Verde continued their unbeaten run against European opposition, stretching it to 13 matches, and they have not lost to a European nation since 2006.
Pedro Leitão Brito’s team are joint-top of the group with one point, and will next face Uruguay before ending the group stage against Saudi Arabia.