The first major upset of the 2026 World Cup came with the tournament’s first 0-0 draw, as Spain failed to convert its dominant possession of the ball into a goal, ultimately sharing the points with debutant Cape Verde.
In a match held in Atlanta, Georgia, the Spanish were ineffective in front of goal. Whenever they found a way to the net, Cape Verdean goalkeeper Josimar Dias, known as “Vozinha,” stood in their way.
This result brings back memories for Spain of what happened in their 1982 World Cup, when they drew 0-0 with Honduras at home.
Barcelona forward Ferran Torres came closest to breaking the deadlock for the “Furia Roja.” First, he hit the crossbar with a powerful shot, and later, he forced Vozinha into a difficult save with another well-placed strike. The African goalkeeper stood tall between the posts, denying Pedri a goal and deflecting another dangerous play just before halftime.
Far from yielding to the pressure, Cape Verde, a small archipelago of barely half a million inhabitants competing in its first-ever World Cup, maintained an unyielding defensive stance in the second half. Not even the entry of young star Lamine Yamal managed to turn the tide of the match in favor of Luis de la Fuente’s team.
On the verge of a major upset!
It could have been a complete upset. In the final minutes of the match, the Africans had a real chance to secure the victory, but a last-ditch header by Diney Borges was saved at the last moment by Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón.
Spain, the 2010 world champion, is determined to claim its second World Cup title. However, their head coach had already warned last Sunday that the Cape Verdeans could become one of the tournament’s surprise teams, a prediction they made abundantly clear on the field.
What’s Next
Spain vs. Saudi Arabia: Sunday, June 21, 2026. The match will be played at Atlanta Stadium at 12:00 p.m. ET (local time) / 6:00 p.m. Spanish time.
Uruguay vs. Cape Verde: Sunday, June 21, 2026. The match will take place at Miami Stadium at 6:00 p.m. ET.
