Powerhouse Spain forced to stunning draw by tiny Cape Verde

Cape Verde achieved a historic 0-0 draw against tournament favorite Spain in their 2026 FIFA World Cup debut. Despite Spain's dominance in possession and chances, the Cape Verdean defense and goalkeeper Vozinha successfully held them scoreless.
Why it matters
This result represents one of the most significant upsets in World Cup history, highlighting the competitive parity in the expanded tournament format.
Spain s Lamine Yamal, background, controls the ball as Cape Verde s Joao Paulo defends during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Cape Verde in Atlanta, Monday, June 15, 2026. (Mike Stewart/AP) ATLANTA — So much for a supersized World Cup diluting the quality of soccer’s biggest tournament.
The article provides a straightforward, factual account of a sporting event without political or ideological framing.
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