Although it wasn’t a win, Cape Verde delivered a World Cup debut for the ages Monday afternoon when they stifled Spain for a 0-0 draw in the opening match for both teams in Group H play in Atlanta.
“I think, I don’t realize for the moment what we did,” the emotional Cape Verde defender Steven Moreira told Telemundo postgame. “That was a very good game against the best team, nation in the world. I’m very happy for my country, the fans, everything. It’s just amazing because Spain, wow, what a team.”
Spain, who rank second in the FIFA World Rankings, controlled the match in all phases but were not able to break down Cape Verde, who entered the day as the fifth-lowest ranked team in the field at No. 67.
The result was easily the most historic result for a nation of islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast that only gained its independence in 1975. Until then, its people competed under Portugal’s flag in FIFA competitions.
“We have always said that we wanted everybody to see our country, our team,” said Cape Verde manager Pedro Leitao Brito. “And we have shown organization and braveness. And this is proof of what our country is about: Resilience and to try and overcome hardships.”
Cape Verde delivered the first scoreless draw of this year’s event against a Spain team that nonetheless extended its unbeaten run to 32 matches in competitive fixtures.
The Blue Sharks have goalkeeper Vozinha largely to thank for that. The 40-year-old finished his country’s first World Cup match with seven saves and was named FIFA’s Man of the Match.
“I’m very happy, not only for myself but for all the players, all the Cape Verdeans,” Vozinha said. “We worked very hard to be here and today we’re able to show our worth.”
La Roja held a 2.29-0.30 edge in expected goals, a 27-6 lead in shots and 7-1 advantage in shots on goal, along with 74% of the possession. But Spain exited the opening match level on points with Cape Verde with one apiece.
That leaves the door open for Uruguay or Saudi Arabia to take an early Group H lead should either win their match late on Monday, and certainly for Cape Verde to believe they could potentially reach the knockout phase.
“I think it’s realistic now,” said Cape Verde midfielder Laros Duarte. “Of course, we already had a lot of confidence before. But of course, this is a game that you have to survive, and I think we did well. So now I think we have an even better feeling.”
Spain’s first premier chance came in the 39th minute, when Marc Cucurella made a run and headed the ball down to Ferran Torres, who clanged the shot off the crossbar. The ball settled in Mikel Oyarzabal’s area, but his header was saved by Vozinha, who recovered in time to tip it over the bar.
Fabian Ruiz had another strong chance to open the scoring on a header in the box in the 56th minute, but he directed it right at Vozinha for an easy save.
Spain waited until the 71st minute to make any subs, when they brought on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal for his first appearance since April 22 due to a hamstring injury.
Yamal caused havoc on the right wing, but even he couldn’t get the Spaniards on the scoresheet.
Spain’s last great chance came in the 88th minute, when a cross found Oyarzabal open in the box. His one-time shot was deflected by a sliding Pico Lopes out for a corner kick.
“It’s the first game and we lack those fresh legs that I’m sure we’ll recover in the next few games,” Spain manager Luis de la Fuente explained. “We’re still reassured. We need to be aware how difficult it is to be here and to reach this situation.”
Cape Verde earned its first corner kick in the 90th minute when Kevin Pina’s shot from distance went off a Spain defender. That directly led to the Blue Sharks’ lone shot on goal as Diney Borges got his head on the set piece, but it went right into Unai Simon’s arms for his lone save.
–Field Level Media
