Forty-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha became an instant World Cup hero as debutants Cape Verde held European champions Spain to a goalless draw in their Group H opener – one of the biggest shocks in tournament history.
The third-smallest nation ever to compete at a World Cup, with a population the size of Sheffield, celebrated the point wildly after a performance that defied every expectation. Spain, winners of four major tournaments in the last two decades, dominated possession but could not find a way past a defence that camped just outside their own box.
“Cape Verde held European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw in their World Cup opener, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha starring.”
Manager Luis de la Fuente had left his two most dangerous attacking weapons – Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams – on the bench. The pair had tormented defences at Euro 2024, combining for the opening goal in the final against England. Without them from the start, Spain looked toothless. Yamal, described as arguably the best player on the planet, was introduced with 20 minutes left, but even he could not break the deadlock.
Midfielders Pedri, Rodri, Gavi and Fabian Ruiz – all accustomed to dominating games with their club sides – lacked a cutting edge. “Rarely has a World Cup stalemate been celebrated like a victory,” noted one observer, underlining the scale of the achievement for Cape Verde.
Spain have history with shock openers. In 2010, off the back of winning the Euros, they were beaten by Switzerland – a speed bump on the way to glory. This draw, however, may surpass that for embarrassment. Questions will be asked of a side that set the benchmark for possession-based football but now seems to have fallen back into its 2018-era struggles.
For Cape Verde, the point was their first in World Cup history. Vozinha’s heroics – a standout performance at 40 – ensured a famous result that will be remembered for generations. Spain’s attention now turns to their second group game against Saudi Arabia, where Yamal and Williams are expected to start. The good news for De la Fuente is that he has live options; the bad news is that the damage has already been done.