7M - Spain 0-0 Cape Verde: Minnows frustrate wasteful La Roja as Ferran Torres misses first-half sitters

Spain's 2026 World Cup campaign got off to a stuttering start in Atlanta, as tournament debutants Cape Verde produced a stubborn defensive masterclass to frustrate the European heavyweights.

Luis de la Fuente opted for caution with his starting lineup, leaving talismanic forward Lamine Yamal on the bench following an injury cloud leading into the Group H opener. Despite boasting overwhelming dominance in possession, La Roja struggled to find their usual fluid rhythm against a well-drilled and experienced Cape Verdean outfit.

When Spain did manage to carve open the African side’s resilient backline, they were thwarted by a combination of the woodwork and clinical wastefulness. Ferran Torres was guilty of missing the breakthrough just before the interval, shockingly rattling the crossbar from point-blank range after a slick passing sequence. Minutes later, the Barcelona forward was denied again, blasting a powerful effort straight into the grateful arms of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.

The pattern of frustration spilled into the second half, with Spain continuing to monopolize the ball but offering little penetration. As De la Fuente cut an increasingly exasperated figure on the touchline, Cape Verde comfortably weathered the early second-half storm, marshaled by an inspired performance from Vozinha between the sticks.

Desperate to break the deadlock after the second-half hydration break, Spain finally turned to their star man, introducing Yamal and Mikel Merino for Gavi and Fabian Ruiz with 20 minutes remaining in an attempt to spark La Roja's modern 'tiki-taka' into life.