2 hours ago 
World Cup debutant Cape Verde produced 1 of the tournament’s archetypal large surprises Monday, frustrating heavy favored Spain successful a scoreless draw that felt similar a triumph for the 64th-ranked African nation.
Spain, among the pre-tournament favorites and the reigning European champion, controlled possession and generated the bulk of the scoring opportunities astatine Mercedes-Benz Stadium. However, Cape Verde’s disciplined defence and standout goalkeeping show from seasoned skipper Vozinha denied Luis de la Fuente’s broadside passim the Group H opener. Spain manager De la Fuente near teenage prima Lamine Yamal connected the seat to start, introducing him aboriginal arsenic his broadside searched unsuccessfully for a breakthrough.
Led by skipper Ryan Mendes and manager Bubista, Cape Verde absorbed question aft question of pressure portion remaining organized and threatening occasionally connected the counterattack. Spain’s midfield trio of Rodri, Pedri and Fabián Ruiz dictated play, but wide chances went unfinished arsenic Ferran Torres and substitute Yamal were incapable to interruption the deadlock.
The effect marked a landmark infinitesimal for Cape Verde, which entered the tourney arsenic 1 of the lowest-ranked teams successful the tract and made its World Cup debut against a squad expected to situation for the title. Fans from the land federation celebrated a constituent that could beryllium invaluable successful a radical that besides includes Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
Spain remains successful presumption to beforehand but faces accrued unit up of its adjacent lucifer against Saudi Arabia connected Monday, June 22, earlier concluding their radical signifier run against Uruguay. Meanwhile, Cape Verde squad volition will play against Uruguay arsenic they prosecute an improbable way into the knockout rounds.
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