World Cup 2026: Debutants Cape Verde hold European champions Spain to shock draw
Key takeaways
- Issued on: 15/06/2026 - 19:56Modified: 15/06/2026 - 20:13
- By: FRANCE 24 Spain's Gavi in action with Cape Verde's Ryan Mendes in the Group G World Cup opener.
- The draw leaves both teams level at the top of Group G, ahead of the match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay later tonight.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
World Cup newcomers Cape Verde held off favourites Spain in a goalless draw in Atlanta on Monday, delivering a defensive masterclass in their first appearance on football's biggest stage to produce the first shock of the tournament against the European champions.
Issued on: 15/06/2026 - 19:56Modified: 15/06/2026 - 20:13
By: FRANCE 24 Spain's Gavi in action with Cape Verde's Ryan Mendes in the Group G World Cup opener. © Bernadett Szabo, Reuters Cape Verde pulled off a World Cup shock by holding Spain to a 0-0 draw in the opening game of Group H on Monday, where the European champions and one of the tournament favourites could find no way past the debutants and their keeper Vozinha.