Lamine Yamal came on as a substitute but was unable to help Spain defeat Cape Verde in their first World Cup appearance with a 0-0 draw.
Published June 15, 2026
The ghosts of Spain’s recent World Cup horror show resurfaced in Atlanta as the European champions lost 0-0 to debutant Cape Verde in their opening match.
Lamine Yamal was left on the bench as the Barcelona superstar works his way back to fitness after nearly two months out with a hamstring injury, but his second half appearance was not enough to disrupt Cape Verde’s solid defense.
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Since winning their first World Cup in 2010, Spain have not won in the knockout stages, and their failure to dominate possession was reminiscent of their meek exits in 2018 and 2022.
Blessed with a team that coach Luis de la Fuente claims is the best soccer team in the competition, Spain were seen before the tournament as one of the favorites to go all the way and host the World Cup on July 19.
However, the importance of Yamal and Nico Williams to their chances of success was highlighted by their flat performances.
Williams also had an injury-interrupted season at Athletic Bilbao, and was not introduced until the 87th minute.
Cape Verde, ranked 67th in the world, debuted on the world stage and took pride in being a country of just over 500,000 people.
In contrast to the scorching temperatures faced by other teams, there was no excuse for Spain’s slow build-up thanks to Atlanta’s state-of-the-art, air-conditioned stadium.
In fact, a mid-half hydration break was booed by fans unhappy with the stoppage of play despite the cool weather.
It took until six minutes before half-time for Spain to seriously threaten.
Marc Cucurella, who had just completed a move from Chelsea to Real Madrid, sent in a defiant cross that Ferran Torres curled over the crossbar and Cape Verde goalkeeper Vosinha stood up to flick Mikel Oyarzabal’s looping header back over the bar.
Torres tested Bosinho again soon after, with Aymeric Laporte’s header from a corner also parried away by Cape Verde’s number one just before half-time.
The break came at a good time for the Blue Sharks, and after a second hydration break they held out comfortably in the second period until Yamal’s entrance.
Touted as one of the stars of the tournament, Yamal immediately electrified the crowd with his appearance and energized the pedestrian Spaniard’s attack.
His initial involvement provided a suitable opening for fellow substitute Mikel Merino, who was too close to Bosinha.
Yamal also initiated the move, deflecting Oyarzabal’s shot and creating Spain’s best chance of the second half.
Cape Verde almost snatched a famous victory just before the end of the 90th minute when Dinny Borges’ header went close to Unai Simon.
Spain’s road to the 2010 title also got off to a disappointing start with a loss to Switzerland, but they have plenty to work on as they face Saudi Arabia again in Atlanta on Sunday.
Cape Verde will next face Uruguay in Miami.
