Lamine Yamal comes off the bench however can’t assist Spain overcome World Cup debutants Cape Verde in 0-0 draw.
Printed On 15 Jun 2026
Spain’s ghosts of current World Cup horror exhibits reappeared in Atlanta because the European champions had been held 0-0 by debutants Cape Verde of their opening sport.
Lamine Yamal was left on the bench because the Barcelona famous person is eased again to health after practically two months out with a hamstring harm and even his look as a second-half substitute failed to interrupt down Cape Verde’s dogged defence.
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Since successful the World Cup for the primary time in 2010, Spain haven’t gained a knockout sport and their incapability to make dominance of possession rely was harking back to their meek exits in 2018 and 2022.
Blessed with what coach Luis de la Fuente claimed is one of the best squad within the competitors, Spain had been thought-about among the many pre-tournament favourites to go all the way in which and carry the World Cup on July 19.
However the significance of Yamal and Nico Williams to their possibilities of success was underlined by a flat efficiency.
Williams additionally had an injury-disrupted season at Athletic Bilbao and was not launched till the 87th minute.
Ranked 67 on the planet, Cape Verde had been making their debut on the worldwide stage and did a nation of simply over 500,000 folks proud.
In stark distinction to the searing temperatures confronted by another sides, Atlanta’s state-of-the-art air conditioned stadium meant there was no excuses for the gradual tempo of Spain’s build-up.
Certainly the mid-half hydration break was met by boos with followers pissed off on the break in play regardless of the cool circumstances.
It took till six minutes earlier than half-time for Spain to noticeably threaten.
Marc Cucurella, contemporary for sealing his transfer from Chelsea to Actual Madrid, despatched over a teasing cross that Ferran Torres turned onto the crossbar and Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha received again on his ft to show Mikel Oyarzabal’s looping header over the bar.
Torres examined Vozinho once more moments later earlier than Aymeric Laporte’s header from a nook was additionally clawed away by the Cape Verde primary simply earlier than half-time.
The break got here at a very good time for the Blue Sharks they usually comfortably held out within the second interval till Yamal’s entrance after the second hydration break.
Billed as one of many stars of the event, Yamal’s look immediately lifted the gang and injected life into the pedestrian Spanish assault.
His first involvement arrange an honest opening for fellow substitute Mikel Merino which was too near Vozinha.
Yamal additionally started the transfer that noticed Oyarzabal’s effort deflected over with Spain’s greatest likelihood of the second half.
Cape Verde practically snatched a well-known victory within the last minute of the 90 when Dani Borges planted a header too near Unai Simon.
Spain’s highway to victory in 2010 additionally started disappointingly with defeat to Switzerland, however they’ve a lot to work on forward of dealing with Saudi Arabia in Atlanta as soon as extra on Sunday.
Cape Verde subsequent tackle Uruguay in Miami.
