Spain vs Cape Verde LIVE!
Cape Verde are celebrating one of the great World Cup shocks after holding Spain to a goalless draw in Atlanta. In their first-ever game on football’s biggest stage, the Group H minnows delivered a superb defensive display and were indebted to 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha for producing a string of excellent saves to thwart the out-of-sorts reigning European champions - many people’s favourites to go all the way in North America this summer.
Ferran Torres smashed sluggish Spain’s best chance against the crossbar from point-blank range in the first half, summing up a wretched afternoon for La Roja, who have suffered a surprise group stage exit and back-to-back last-16 defeats since winning the World Cup for the first time in 2010 as part of a historic run of three consecutive major tournament triumphs. They will have to improve fast as they look to bounce back against Saudi Arabia on Sunday, with Lamine Yamal needing to get up to speed quickly after his late cameo following injury could not spare their blushes.
Cape Verde will rightly savour by far the most famous day in their footballing history, before facing another tough challenge at the weekend when they take on Uruguay in Miami. Follow reaction to Spain vs Cape Verde live below!
Spain vs Cape Verde latest news
- Cape Verde hold Spain to draw in huge World Cup shock
- Fans celebrate Cape Verde's most famous day in football
- 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha shines in stunning stalemate
- Lamine Yamal can't spare Spain's blushes in late cameo
- Ferran Torres hits crossbar from point-blank range in first half
A tale of two 'keepers
20:11 , Ronan Sullivan
Unai Simon, on the other hand, was not a happy bunny.
He only had one save to make from that Borges header, so could not really have changed the outcome today.
Who is Vozinha?
20:04 , Ronan Sullivan
The name on everyone’s lips: Vozinha.
So, who is he?
Vozinha, 40, plies his club football for GD Chaves in the Portuguese Second Division, conceding only 23 goals in 19 matches as they finished 9th.
He’s made 89 appearances for his county after making his debut in September 2012 and played in their only AFCON apperance in 2013, where they were knocked out in the quarter finals by Ghana.
He also now has 1.7 million Instagram followers - I’m pretty sure it was only about seven before the game.
Solid as a rock
19:54 , Ronan Sullivan
Pico Lopes was a rock at the back today - he made several crucial clearances, including that goal-saving block near the end.
Imagine signing a World Cup centre back from LinkedIn? Probably the best thing that platform’s ever done.
Spain plummet down the FIFA World Rankings
19:48 , Ronan Sullivan
Spain have slipped from 2nd to 3rd in the rankings after that draw.
Cape Verde have gone up three places from 67th to 64th.
How the turntables turn.
19:45 , Ronan Sullivan
Unsurprisingly, Vozinha has been awarded player of the match.
He made seven saves, including a couple of brilliant ones.
Better luck next time?
19:41 , Ronan Sullivan
Nico Williams’ late entrance could not prevent this shock Spain draw.
They next play Group H opponents Saudia Arabia on Sunday 21st June at 5pm BST.
De la Fuente will hope Williams and Yamal are fit from the start in that one.
FT Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
19:34 , Ronan Sullivan
We’re still waiting to here from any of the Spain and Cape Verde players and managers.
FT Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
19:31 , Ronan Sullivan
‘Did that just happen?’
Dreaming is free
19:30 , Ronan Sullivan
Cape Verde manager Bubista, who played 21 times for the Blue Sharks between 1989 and 2005, looks as though he can’t quite believe it.
They are the second-smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup and they’ve just drawn with Spain.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde FT
19:22 , Ronan Sullivan
These images sum the game up perfectly: pride for Cape Verde; disappointment for Spain.
19:19 , Ronan Sullivan
Lamine Yamal’s introduction in the 71st minute helped Spain move up a gear, but it was ultimately not enough.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde FT
19:17 , Ronan Sullivan
The Cape Verde fans are going wild in the Mercedes-Benz arena - what a day and what a result in Atlanta, Georgia.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde FT
19:15 , Ronan Sullivan
Spain will be very disappointed by that performance.
They had 27 shots and 7 on target.
Cape Verde had just one: that header from Borges in the 90th minute.
FT Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
19:10 , Ronan Sullivan
Vazinho takes his plaudits after several brilliant saves.
What a debut for the 40-year-old.
FT Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
19:09 , Ronan Sullivan
The Cape Verdeans also had a few breaks they arguably could’ve done better with.
But the African side will be delighted with a draw.
A MASSIVE result.
FT Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
19:08 , Ronan Sullivan
Cape Verde has a huge chance through Borges’ header near the end, but Simon saved.
FULL-TIME: SPAIN 0-0 CAPE VERDE
19:08 , Ronan Sullivan
A historic draw for World Cup debutants Cape Verde! They hold off former World Cup and current Euro winners Spain in their first ever World Cup game!
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:48 , Ronan Sullivan
87 mins: Spain substitution as Nico Williams replaces Rodri.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:47 , Ronan Sullivan
85 mins: Rodri slashes wide from outside the area, flying through Pina’s legs out for a goal kick.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:45 , Ronan Sullivan
84 mins: What a shock this would be.
Cape Verde are really holding their shape, as Olmo takes up Torres’ position on the left-wing.
Two banks of four and five for the African side.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:43 , Ronan Sullivan
82 mins: Paulo and Borges are managing to shackle Lamal...for now.
Lamal whips in a ball which Merino mis-heads and Cucurella heads into Vazinho’s grateful arms.
18:42 , Ronan Sullivan
81 mins: Into the last ten minutes - can Cape Verde hold on for a momentous result?
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:42 , Ronan Sullivan
81 mins: Spain substitution: Ferran Torres off for Dani Olmo.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:41 , Ronan Sullivan
79 mins: Cape Verde substitution: Telmo Arcanjo is on for Monteiro in central midfield.
Paulo then clears at the back post to prevent Yamal scoring.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:38 , Ronan Sullivan
78 mins: Challenges and blocks flying in from Cape Verde.
Spain are upping the ante since Lamal’s introduction.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:37 , Ronan Sullivan
76 mins: Cape Verde substitution: Sidny Lopes Cabral is off, replaced by Joao Paulo.
Lopes Cabral was on a yellow and playing full-back against Lamine Yamal.
Probably a sensible decision from Bubista.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:36 , Ronan Sullivan
75 mins: Deroy Duarte’s heavy touch ruins the chance to break for Cape Verde - that’s happened countless times.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:35 , Ronan Sullivan
74 mins: Pico Lopes heads clear. The Shamrock Rovers man is having a blinder against the Euro winners.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:34 , Ronan Sullivan
73 mins: Chance! Lamal works his magic, laying it inside to Llorente, who cuts it across to Merino.
His shot is straight at Vozinha.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:33 , Ronan Sullivan
72 mins: Torres has moved over to the left, so Yamal can take up his place on the right.
Merino slots into midfield.
Yamal’s first touch takes him round Lopes Cabral, but Yamal is shut out.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:32 , Ronan Sullivan
71 mins: Spain substitution: Lamine Yamal is coming on.
I repeat: Lamine Yamal is coming on.
So is Mikel Merino.
They replace Fabian Ruiz and Gavi.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:29 , Ronan Sullivan
68 mins: Hydration break.
Vozinha will be disappointed, as he was getting ready to time-waste there.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:29 , Ronan Sullivan
68 mins: Sidny Lopes Cabral concedes a corner.
Vozinha fumbles the ball, but is given a free kick.
I see a certain Spain player getting ready to come on...
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:27 , Ronan Sullivan
66 mins: Deroy Duarte has slotted straight into midfield, replacing Laros, as they continue to deny Spain openings.
De la Fuentes’ side’s only idea is to find Cucurella breaking down the left side.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:24 , Ronan Sullivan
63 mins: Cape Verde’s 4-5-1 is really frustrating Spain.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:23 , Ronan Sullivan
61 mins: Cape Verde substitutions: Jovane Cabbral, Laros Duarte and Dailon Livramento are replaced by Willy Semedo, Deroy Duarte and Nuno da Costa.
Deroy Duarte actually replaced his brother, Laros.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:21 , Ronan Sullivan
60 mins: Lamine Yamal is seen prowling the sidelines now. De la Fuente: are you watching?
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:20 , Ronan Sullivan
59 mins: Cape Verde should be getting a lot of credit for their display.
Spain’s profligacy is a reflection of how solid they are defensively, as Vazinho plucks a cross out of the air.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:19 , Ronan Sullivan
58 mins: Laporte is having a go at shooting well off target now.
His long-range attempt is absolutely nowhere near.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:17 , Ronan Sullivan
56 mins: Chance! Fabian Ruiz’s glanced header falls gratefully to Vazinho.
A shot on target for Spain, but a tame one.
Another save for Vazinho - I make that five.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:16 , Ronan Sullivan
55 mins: Cross easily gathered by Vozinha from Torres.
Torres and Gavi on the wings are doing very little.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:14 , Ronan Sullivan
53 mins: It does sound like I’m making it up, but Oyarzabal shanks a cross for Torres, which eventually just goes wide of the post.
Essentially, another shot off target for Spain.
Real limp stuff from them.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:12 , Ronan Sullivan
51 mins: Kevin Pina is robbed for Cape Verde, with the ball breaking to Fabian Ruiz, who - guess what - fires wide!
What has happened to Spain’s finishing? They scored over 20 goals in 6 qualifying matches!
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:11 , Ronan Sullivan
50 mins: Nice interplay from Gavi and Pedri, but Monteiro makes the tackle.
He tries to pass it out, but the Spain defence snuffs it out.
It’s rinse and repeat here.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:09 , Ronan Sullivan
48 mins: Half-chance for Oyarzabal, as he glances a header quite wide.
Fabian Ruiz then curls one wide himself.
They’re all having a go!
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
18:07 , Ronan Sullivan
46 mins: No changes for either side at half-time.
Second half kicks off
18:06 , Ronan Sullivan
Spain kick off the second half. Can they make the break through?
Half-time: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:58 , Ronan Sullivan
A matter of time before de la Fuente makes changes in the second-half?
We’ll see.
Vozinha the hero so far.
Halftime: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:54 , Ronan Sullivan
While Ferran Torres has left a lot to be desired, it turns out Mikel Oyarzabal had quite a poor first half too.
He is the first player to not touch the ball in the opening 30 minutes of a World Cup match since 1966, according to Opta.
I did not notice that - which makes sense.
A crazy stat.
HALF-TIME: Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:52 , Ronan Sullivan
Cape Verde have made it to half-time goalless with Spain!
Their 40-year-old goalkeeper, Vazinho, has been the undoubted star of the show, making three great saves.
Ferran Torres missed an absolute sitter, before a tame shot he should have converted.
Spain need more dynamism up front; the front three isn’t working.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:50 , Ronan Sullivan
45+4 mins: Oyarzabal should do better, as his header bounces down and wide under pressure from Cape Verde defenders.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:49 , Ronan Sullivan
45+3 mins: ANOTHER Vazinho save!
Laporte’s header is tipped behind by the Cape Verde ‘keeper.
It may have been going wide, but Vazinho wasn’t to know.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:48 , Ronan Sullivan
45+2 mins: Spain corner. Could they open the scoring here?
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:47 , Ronan Sullivan
45 mins: four minutes of injury time.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:46 , Ronan Sullivan
45 mins: Save! Vazinho saves from Torres!
Cucurella’s cut back arrives to Ferran Torres, whose low effort is tamer and more central than it should be, and Vazinho saves with relative ease.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:45 , Ronan Sullivan
44 mins: They’ve just shown replays of that Torres miss from the ref cam.
He was basically already in the goal. So poor.
Bubista must be buzzing.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:43 , Ronan Sullivan
42 mins: Cape Verde break, but Laros Duarte gets lost down a blind alley, as the ball dribbles to Unai Simon in goal.
That’s how they’re going to get chances - on the break.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:42 , Ronan Sullivan
41 mins: Cape Verde are living dangerously here, but if they to half-time, the Blue Sharks will be absolutely over the moon.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:41 , Ronan Sullivan
39 mins: CROSSBAR!
How has Ferran Torres missed that? A carbon copy of that last Spain move, as Cucurella heads across to Torres, who smashes it against the bar from a couple of yards out.
Vazinho then tips over Oyarzabal’s header!
Terrible miss from Torres. Terrible.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:38 , Ronan Sullivan
39 mins: Jovane Cabral - no relation to Sidny - blazes over after cutting in on the left-wing.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:38 , Ronan Sullivan
37 mins: Chance! Pedri plays in Cucurella, who heads it across goal. The clearance lands to Pedri, whose volley is well saved by 40-year-old Vozinha!
The offside flag went up, so it wouldn’t have counted. But still a good save.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:36 , Ronan Sullivan
35 mins: Livramento tries for a wonder goal from over halfway!
Goes wide.
Nice idea though! Keep it up Cape Verde!
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:33 , Ronan Sullivan
32 mins: Sidny Cabral’s tackle on Oyarzabal stops the Spaniard getting a shot away.
Really well-timed.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:31 , Ronan Sullivan
31 mins: Vozinha - Cape Verde’s goalkeeper - is 40.
I did not know that.
Not a scratch on 43-year-old Craig Gordon though.
Vozinha’s had not much to do so far.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:30 , Ronan Sullivan
29 mins: Cucurella blazes a volley over after neat work from Pedri.
Cucurella was trying to slip in Gavi, playing left wing today, but the pass rebounded, so he shot. Well over.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:28 , Ronan Sullivan
27 mins: Ryan Mendes’ volley blasts off Cucurella for a Cape Verde throw deep in Spain’s half.
Moreira gets a cross in but it overshoots the box and Spain recollect possession.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:27 , Ronan Sullivan
26 mins: the game resumes.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:26 , Ronan Sullivan
25 mins: De la Fuente is speaking to Pedri animatedly in the hydration break here. He wants him to pull those strings for Spain.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:25 , Ronan Sullivan
23 mins: HYDRATION BREAK.
Spain haven’t really got anywhere in the opening twenty three minutes. Cape Verde will be dreaming now.
Let’s hope it doesn’t turn into a nightmare as it did for Curacao last night.
17:23 , Ronan Sullivan
Fernando Hierro, who managed Spain at the 2018 World Cup after Julen Lopetegui was sacked on the tournament’s eve, is spotted in the crowd.
Lopetegui is managing Qatar at this year’s edition. He managed a last-minute draw with Switzerland for their first-ever World Cup point on Saturday.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:21 , Ronan Sullivan
20 mins: Pau Cubarsi’s long-range shot flicks off Fabian Ruiz for a goal kick.
The Barca centre back, 19, was not close to goal with that one.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:19 , Ronan Sullivan
18 mins: 67% possession for Spain, but only that tame effort from Pedri to show for it.
Cape Verde holding firm.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:18 , Ronan Sullivan
16 mins: Sidney Cabral pulls down Marcos Llorente, who’s sporting lovely yellow locks.
Speaking of yellow, Cabral gets one for that foul.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:17 , Ronan Sullivan
15 mins: Pedri’s long-range effort is easily gathered by the ‘keeper. First shot on target, though.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:16 , Ronan Sullivan
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:14 , Ronan Sullivan
13 mins: Cape Verde striker Dailo Livramento thinks he’s shoved in the penalty area by Laporte after Pico’s long ball. Nothing doing.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:13 , Ronan Sullivan
12 mins: A great cross swung in by Spain and Pico Lopes is there again to head clear for Cape Verde. That was crucial.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:12 , Ronan Sullivan
11 mins: A Spanish corner breaks for Cape Verde’s Monteiro, but he loses the ball pretty much straightaway.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:10 , Ronan Sullivan
8 mins: Pico Lopes has cleared a couple of Spanish passes.
The man recruited from LinkedIn has had a confident start.
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
17:09 , Ronan Sullivan
Here’s the line-ups ahead of kick-off.
Nothing to report so far, as Cape Verde are camped in their own half while Spain knock the ball around, looking for an opening.
SPAIN 0-0 CAPE VERDE
17:05 , Ronan Sullivan
The referee today is Jordanian Adham Makhadmeh, whose decision to give Spain a corner is overruled by VAR.
We better get used to that.
SPAIN 0-0 CAPE VERDE
17:02 , Ronan Sullivan
Spain are in red, while Cape Verde are playing in white, rather than their blue home kit.
All Spain in the opening minute.
KICK-OFF!
17:01 , Ronan Sullivan
Cape Verde kick-off their first ever World Cup game!
Pre-match huddle
17:01 , Ronan Sullivan
Cape Verde huddle before kick-off as Shakira’s song booms around the stadium. A perfect way to start.
National anthems
16:56 , Ronan Sullivan
Cape Verde’s is second and is quite a jaunty number, but manager Bubista is stony-faced as the camera gets ever so slightly too close to him.
The Blue Sharks are ready for their World Cup debut.
Nearly there!
16:55 , Ronan Sullivan
Spain and Cape Verde squads line up on the centre circle, with their respective flags either side of them.
The ground looks quite full too.
Cape Fear for Cape Verde?
16:47 , Ronan Sullivan
With just over ten minutes to kick-off - do the debutants have any hope here?
No Real Madrid players?
16:44 , Ronan Sullivan
There’s no Real Madrid players in Spain’s World Cup squad - a first.
Boss Luis de la Fuente said his squad was “perfect”, so I doubt he cares.
Fun fact: Sunderland (12) have more players than Real Madrid (10) at this World Cup.
Bonkers.
Warm-ups
16:34 , Ronan Sullivan
Here’s a couple of picture of the Spain team heading out to the pitch for their warm-ups, led by Manchester City midfielder Rodri.
There’s former City man Aymeric Laporte in the background too.
Empty seats galore?
16:32 , Ronan Sullivan
With all the issues we’ve seen so far of empty seats and exorbitant ticket prices at this year’s World Cup - I wonder if we’ll see the same today in Atlanta?
Spain awaits
16:28 , Ronan Sullivan
Anticipation is building now as fans trickle into the stadium.
Spain will hope for a start similar to Germany’s against Curacao yesterday, who they spanked 7-1.
No Cucurella, no party?
16:18 , Ronan Sullivan
Much-maligned for that chant after Spain’s Euro 2024 win, where he talks about Estrella (among other things), Marc Cucurella has today secured a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid for about £51m.
Was it the lure of working under incoming boss Jose Mourinho?
Cucurella actually came up through Barcelona’s youth academy, before leaving without making a first-team appearance.
He starts today.
Simon starts over Raya
16:14 , Ronan Sullivan
Arsenal’s David Raya is on the bench for Spain today, with de la Fuente preferring Athletic Bilbao ‘keeper Unai Simon.
Is that the right decision? Raya has been one of the best goalkeepers in Europe this season.
I hope that decision doesn’t come back to haunt de la Fuente.
Lamal and Williams on the bench
16:10 , Ronan Sullivan
After injury scares heading into the tournament, Spain boss de la Fuente has decided it’s best to leave his two attacking starlets on the bench.
With this likely being Spain’s easiest group game, it’s a sensible decision.
Cape Verde XI!
16:03 , Ronan Sullivan
And here’s Cape Verde’s starting XI, with Mendes and Pico starting:
Cape Verde XI: Vozinha, Moreira, Pico, Diney, Lopes Cabral, Lenini, L Duarte, Mendes, Jamiro, J Cabral, Livramento
Spain starting XI announced!
15:57 , Ronan Sullivan
Yamal is indeed on the bench as Torres and Oyarzabal start up front:
Spain XI: Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Fabian, Rodri (c), Pedri; Torres, Oyarzabal, Gavi
Spain arrive!
15:53 , Ronan Sullivan
The Spain team have arrived! We’ve missed them getting off the coach, but here are some aerial shots of them inspecting the pitch just an hour before their World Cup kicks off.
Cape Verde squad
15:50 , Ronan Sullivan
And here’s Cape Verde’s:
Goalkeepers: Vozinha, Marcio Rosa, CJ dos Santos
Defenders: Diney Borges, Sidny Cabral, Logan Costa, Steven Moreira, Wagner Pina, Joao Paulo Fernandes, Roberto 'Pico' Lopes, Kelvin Pires, Ianique 'Stopira' Tavares
Midfielders: Telmo Arcanjo, Laros Duarte, Deroy Duarte, Jamiro Monteiro, Kevin Pina, Yannick Semedo
Forwards: Gilson Benchimol, Jovane Cabral, Nuno da Costa, Dailon Livramento, Ryan Mendes, Garry Rodrigues, Willy Semedo, Helio Varela
Spain squad
15:48 , Ronan Sullivan
Here’s a reminder of Luis de la Fuente’s 26-man squad, as line-ups are announced in around ten minutes.
Spain squad:
Goalkeepers: David Raya, Joan García, Unai Simón
Defenders: Marc Pubill, Alejandro Grimaldo, Eric García, Pedro Porro, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Cucurella
Midfielders: Marcos Llorente, Mikel Merino, Fabián Ruiz, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Yéremy Pino, Álex Baena, Rodri, Martín Zubimendi, Pedri
Forwards: Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Víctor Muñoz, Borja Iglesias
Who are their Group H opponents?
15:42 , Ronan Sullivan
Group H is made up of Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.
Spain and Uruguay - managed by Leeds legend Marcelo Bielsa - are clear favourites to progress automatically, while Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia will look to limit their losses against the big boys and then beat each other to progress as one of the best third-placed sides.
Uruguay and Saudi Arabia face off at 11pm BST tonight.
Click here to read the full blog on The The Standard's website
