Cape Verde hold Spain in one of World Cup's biggest shocks

Spain vs Cape Verde; FIFA World Cup Group H Spain vs Cape Verde. FIFA World Cup Group H. Mercedes-Benz StadiumAttendance67,640. World Cup 2026: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde - African islands with population less than 500,000 produce one of tournament's biggest shocks Match report as Spain held to 0-0 draw by World Cup debutants Cape Verde - third-smallest nation to ever compete tournament; the group of islands with population fewer than 500,000 held the favourites - with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha and defender Pico Lopes shining at the back Monday 15 June 2026 19:06, UK Cape Verde pulled off one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history as the African debutants held tournament favourites Spain to a goalless draw in Atlanta. One of the biggest mismatches in football history has produced one of the biggest results, with Cape Verde the third-smallest nation to ever compete in a World Cup - but they showed the biggest heart. - As it happened | Teams | Stats | Group H guide - World Cup day-by-day schedule | Latest: World Cup - Follow our World Cup coverage in the Sky Sports App Among the heroes included 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, who played in Portugal's second division last season and made four outstanding stops. He tipped over Mikel Oyarazabal's header, saved low from Ferran Torres' close-range effort, tipped Aymeric Laporte's goalbound header around the corner and then denied Mikel Merino and Marc Cucurella from inside the box late on. Second to Vozinha to man of the match was Shamrock Rovers' Pico Lopes - who denied Oyarazabal with a stunning last-ditch block on 88 minutes to deny a certain winner. Cape Verde could have even won it as Diney Borges was found unmarked at a late, rare corner - only for it to be blocked into goalkeeper Unai Simon's path. But Spain were also poor and wasteful, with Torres missing a first-half sitter by hitting the bar from six yards. Even after sending on Lamine Yamal from the bench, Spain could not find an answer. It is quite simply a football result that will reverberate around the world. The key moments from Atlanta... - 31: The time it took for Spain's starting striker Mikel Oyarzabal to touch the ball for the first time - highlighting how limp Spain were against a stoic Cape Verde defence. - 39: WHAT A MISS! Torres somehow fails to convert from six yards out by hitting the bar. Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha then superbly tips the rebound from Oyarzabal over. - 45: WHAT A SAVE! Vozinha gets down low to deny a goalbound Torres shot from inside the box. - 45+3: ANOTHER STOP! Laporte's header is turned around the post by the 40-year-old goalkeeper. - 70: After showing little in attack, Yamal finally comes on for his return from injury. - 73: Yamal had an immediate impact, teeing up Marcos Llorente who squared for fellow substitute Merino, who was denied by Vozinha again. - 82: Cucurella is found at the back post but can only fire straight at Vozinha. - 88: Oyazarbal had a close-range effort wonderfully blocked over the bar by Cape Verde defender Lopes. - 90+1: Borges NEARLY wins it for Cape Verde but can't convert at a corner. The stats to shame Spain - Spain's Mikel Oyarzabal is the first player on record since 1966 to play the first 30 minutes of a World Cup match without touching the ball once. - Spain attempted 12 shots in the first half against Cape Verde; only against Switzerland in 1966 (14) have they had more shots in a first half without scoring in the competition (since 1966 onwards). - Cape Verde have completed just 14 passes in the opposition's half in this match, the joint-lowest figure of any side in a half of football at the World Cup on Opta record (since 1966).