Cape Verde stood firm against all odds on Monday evening, holding European champions Spain to a goalless draw in their Group H opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta — a result that will be etched into the small island nation’s sporting history forever.
The Blue Sharks, making their World Cup debut, pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s long history, frustrating a Spain side that mustered a whopping 27 shots — seven on target — yet could not find a way past an inspired Vozinha.
The hero of the night was undeniably the Cape Verde goalkeeper. The 40-year-old, who turned 40 just two weeks before the tournament, produced a string of brilliant saves, finishing the evening with seven stops to his name. His finest moments came late in the first half, denying Oyarzabal, Laporte and Torres in quick succession, with Torres also rattling the crossbar from Spain’s best chance of the contest.
Not even sensational teenager Lamine Yamal, introduced from the bench in the second half, could turn the tide for La Roja. His absence from the starting line-up — confirmed fit but not yet ready to start by coach Luis de la Fuente — was felt acutely, leaving Spain without natural attacking width for much of the match.
Cape Verde were not merely passengers. Diney Borges came agonisingly close to winning it for the Blue Sharks late on, only for his header to be tipped away by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón.
A deflated Luis de la Fuente was candid after the final whistle. “We should have won today’s match with everything that happened, with all the favourable situations we created, but we lacked freshness and a clinical edge,” he said.
The Cape Verde coach, Pedro Leitão Brito, could barely contain his emotion. “This means everything for our country,” he said. “We have always said that we wanted everybody to see our country, our team, and we have shown organisation and braveness. This is proof of what our country is about — resilience and to try to overcome hardships.”
Cape Verde qualified for this World Cup by finishing four points ahead of African powerhouse Cameroon in their qualifying group, and are making history as one of the smallest nations ever to grace the tournament — a group of islands with around half a million inhabitants.
The point earned in Atlanta is just the beginning. Two Group H matches remain for the Blue Sharks, and after this performance, no one in the group will take them lightly.
