Cape Verde, ranked 67th in the world, have pulled off one of the great World Cup opening-round shocks by holding European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw in Atlanta. Here, Pau Cubarsi fluffs another chance during the Group H clash. Photo: AFP
Spain's ghosts of recent Fifa World Cup horror shows reappeared in Atlanta as the European champions were held 0-0 by debutants Cape Verde in their opening game on Monday.
Lamine Yamal was left on the bench as the Barcelona superstar is eased back to fitness after nearly two months out with a hamstring injury, and even his appearance as a second-half substitute failed to break down Cape Verde's dogged defence.
Since winning the World Cup for the first time in 2010, Spain have not won a knockout game and their inability to make dominance of possession count was reminiscent of their meek exits in 2018 and 2022.
Blessed with what coach Luis de la Fuente claimed is the best squad in the competition, Spain were considered among the pre-tournament favourites to go all the way and lift the World Cup on July 19. But the importance of Yamal and Nico Williams to their chances of success was underlined by a flat performance.
