Spain v Cabo Verde - 2026 FIFA World Cup result as debutants hang on for famous draw against tournament favourites

Cabo Verde turned in a defensive masterclass to seal a famous 0-0 draw on their World Cup debut against European champions Spain.

Spain, fancied by many to win the whole tournament, were expected to run through Cabo Verde quite comfortably in their Group H opener, but nothing about the evening in Atlanta for Luis de la Fuente’s side was comfortable.

From the outset, they were frustrated by a compact and well drilled Cabo Verde outfit.

To sum up the Spanish struggles, striker Mikel Oyarzabal went 30 minutes without even touching the ball.

They enjoyed plenty of possession but lacked the kind of cutting edge expected.

Across the game, clear-cut chances were few and far between, and when they did arrive, they were not taken.

Of them, the best fell to Ferran Torres towards the end of the first half. Rodri lifted a ball out to Marc Cucurella on the left flank, before the new Real Madrid defender headed back into the danger area.

It was on a plate for Torres, but his effort crashed off the bar and out to safety.

Outside of that, Cabo Verde, who have one of the oldest squads in the tournament, were immense.

In goal, 40-year-old Vozinha produced a number of sublime saves, while centre-back Roberto ‘Pico’ Lopes summed up the effort with an incredible block late in the second half to deny Oyarzabal.

Not even the introduction of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams could make a difference, as Cabo Verde continued to repel the superstars in front of them.

There was even a late chance for the debutants to steal it when Diney Borges had a free header from a corner. He could not get enough on it to trouble Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon, but that will not dampen the celebrations on what was a historic day for Cabo Verde.

HBO Max includes the full range of TNT Sports content and live coverage. In 2026, subscribers can stream exclusive matches from the Premier League, Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League, as well as every Gallagher PREM Rugby match, Premiership Women’s Rugby, live Grand Tour cycling broadcasts including every stage of the Tour de France, every match from the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, every MotoGP, World Superbikes and British Superbikes race, plus the World Snooker Tour, the winter sports season, Speedway GP, and much more.

It is still early days, so there is time for Spain to improve, but that was not a confident performance or one that will strike fear into the other tournament contenders.

They were tipped by many as the favourites before a ball had been kicked, but is that still the case? Have your say below...

Can the debutants build on this result?

Who saw that coming?

Spain were expected to run through Cabo Verde and lay down an early tournament marker, but they were held to a 0-0 draw by a team more than 60 places below them in the world rankings and who had never played a World Cup game before today.

Luis de la Fuente's side will undoubtedly bounce back but the day belongs to Cabo Verde.

The greatest day in their footballing history.

They've done it! Cabo Verde hang on for a famous 0-0 draw against Spain on their World Cup debut.

Truly immense stuff and thoroughly deserved.

Spain come again but can’t find a way through and Cabo Verde break. Mendes has the time and space to shoot but he slices it well wide.

Up the other end, Spain win a corner but Cabo Verde deal with it. That could be it...

We are into the third minute of the five added on. Yamal has it but there is nowhere to go.

Cabo Verde then steal the ball and win a free-kick on the break.

What a chance!

Cabo Verde break and win a corner. The ball comes in and it’s on the head of Borges, but he can’t get enough on the header and Unai Simon gathers.

This is exceptional!

Yamal finds Olmo in space in the box. He then picks out Oyarzabal, whose effort looks set to find the net until Pico Lopes pulls off an incredible block to keep the game goalless.

Nico Williams enters the fray for the closing stages in place of Rodri.

Cucurella sends a low ball into the box but, as has been the case all game, it evades all the players in red.

The clearance only gets as far as Rodri, though, who has a pop on goal. He drags his effort well wide and can’t hide his frustration.

Yamal crosses into the box and Merino misjudges his attempt at a glancing header, sending the ball into the night sky.

While unintentional, it lands on the head of Cucurella, who sends an effort into the grateful arms of Vozinha.

Ferran Torres makes way for Dani Olmo for the final 10 minutes.

Arcanjo is on for Monteiro.

Spain are upping the ante in search of that elusive goal. The balls falls nicely for Pedri on the edge of the box but his low first-time shot is well blocked.

There is a completely new energy in the stadium after the introduction of Yamal.

He's already shown a glimpse of what he can do and few would bet against him breaking the deadlock.

Here comes the teenage superstar. Can he make the difference?

He's on for Gavi, while Fabian Ruiz makes way for Mikel Merino.

It's that time again...