Spain’s Cape Verde draw is a warning shot to World Cup rivals

There will likely not be as big an upset for the remainder of the 2026 World Cup as Spain failing to beat Cape Verde.

The result itself was perhaps less surprising than the actual performance. Cape Verde reached the first hydration break without being overly troubled, then got to half-time with their defence unbreeched.

As the second half wore on, it became less and less clear where a goal was coming from. Spain were hardly throwing down the gauntlet, and it never felt like a goal was coming, as is often the case in these David vs Goliath clashes.

That did change somewhat when Lamine Yamal came on. The Barcelona star supplied energy to a stadium that was becoming more bored than frustrated, with his team mates also invigorated. The game plan was now simple: give it to Yamal.

It was as good as Spain had looked in the affair, with the teenager doing what no other Spain player had managed, in actually running at the Cape Verde defence, injecting pace and directness that was so sorely lacking.

The later introduction of Nico Williams added more pace, but perhaps too late.

Cape Verde’s 40-year-old Vozinha, reduced to tears at full time, was awarded Player of the Match, but he never actually had all that much to do. There wasn’t a series of outstanding saves that left Spain aghast; the Chaves man simply did everything asked of him with minimal fuss.

Naturally, the result sent shockwaves throughout the competition, but Spain won’t be worrying and nor should they be.

World Cups are not won nor lost in the opening game, and in the expanded, 48-team edition which will require eight matches and at least 12 hours of football to win the trophy, the top contenders must peak at the right time.

That’s always been the case in World Cups, but even more this time around. Remember, in 2022, a thoroughly unimpressive Argentina lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia – an even bigger upset than Spain being held by Cape Verde. In 2018, France needed an 81st-minute own goal to beat Australia in their opener.

Germany were scintillating when kicking things off with a 4-0 win against Portugal in 2014, but then needed to come from behind to draw 2-2 with Ghana and were less than impressive when needing extra time to get past Algeria in the round of 32. Spain themselves were beaten by Switzerland in the 2010 opener.

These teams all had the same thing in common: they came good in the latter stages. All produced irresistible performances when it really mattered. Only once since the World Cup returned to one group stage in 1986 has a team won every game en route to victory, and it’s no good battering minnows in the group stage if you arrive at a quarter-final or semi-final or final at less than 100%.

And that is what Luis de la Fuente’s primary objective is.

Spain are no less likely to win the World Cup having been held by Cape Verde; indeed, they remain 9/2 joint-favourites with France, and they’re still 1/4 (from 1/5) to top the group after Uruguay were held. Wins against Saudi Arabia and Marcelo Bielsa's men will see Spain top Group H and avoid the potential round of 32 clash with Argentina.

If there is a concern for De la Fuente, it’s that his attack looked blunt without his two wingers, but the same could be said if most leading contenders lost two of their primary attacking threats at the World Cup. How strong do France look without Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise? How strong do England look without Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham? How strong do Argentina look without Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez?

De la Fuente is wisely managing Yamal’s minutes and if anything, Monday’s draw vindicated his approach. Yamal is paramount to La Roja’s chances of winning the World Cup, and it’s De la Fuente’s job to ensure he’s fit and firing for the knockout rounds, as opposed to punishing inferior outfits in games that ultimately are inconsequential.

The Spain boss admitted prior to the game that Yamal was 100% but that he may be rested. He could have risked Yamal and watched his side run out 4-0 winners. Instead, De la Fuente kept his star man fresh as Spain drew 0-0.

Outsiders may now be questioning Spain’s World Cup credentials. If anything, they’re even stronger.