ATLANTA — Spain were held to a 0-0 draw by Cape Verde in their World Cup opener in Atlanta, producing 27 shots with seven on target but failing to find a way through against a well-organised opponent. The Spanish side posted an xG of 2.29 to Cape Verde’s 0.29 and completed more than 700 largely sideways passes over 90 minutes.
Goalkeeper Vozinha was a standout for Cape Verde, making seven saves; the source notes he turned 40 two weeks before the World Cup. Spain created several notable chances, including opportunities for Ferran Torres and Marc Cucurella down the left, but were unable to convert.
Spain were without Lamine Yamal for the first 70 minutes after coach Luis de la Fuente said the player, who had been recovering from an April injury with Barcelona, was fit but not ready to start. “As soon as Lamine came on, he changed how [Cape Verde] were playing,” de la Fuente said. Yamal’s image had been prominent around Atlanta, but his late introduction was a clear talking point after the match.
De la Fuente’s starting selection featured Gavi on the left and Torres on the right, leaving Spain short of natural attacking width with full-backs Marc Cucurella and Marcos Llorente occupying wide roles. The coach also pushed Pedri high up the pitch to join Mikel Oyarzabal in a front two.
The draw continues a pattern of slow starts for Spain at World Cups. Prior to 2022, Spain opened with victory only three times in 14 appearances: 1934 against Brazil, 2002 against Slovenia and 2006 against Ukraine. The team lost their opening match in 2010 before going on to win the tournament and failed to win opening games in 2014 and 2018.
De la Fuente downplayed alarm, noting the opposition had done the things they needed to do and urging steady progress. “We have to keep growing. With the talent these players have, that’s the way. We’re calm. This is a long tournament, and in our heads we’ve still got seven games left,” he said.
