The upset of the 2026 FIFA World Cup so far as the obviously predictable Group H Spain vs Cape Verde clash ended up being far from that as most experts, including us but we aren’t really experts, were tipping a big win for Spain, especially after Germany’s demolition of fellow newcomer Curacao yesterday. But Spain’s possession and passing based football lacked cut through, and a stellar goalkeeping performance, and some great defence combined with meek shooting at goal and the Cape Verde aka Cabo Verde team got a massive result from their first ever World Cup game. It also sends a message to those who say the World Cup has expended too far. Well, it has, but this is still a nice story.
Setting the scene
So it is another day at the World Cup opening up with a huge team playing a first timer as Spain take on Cape Verde aka Cabo Verde. It could go either way, like Germany’s 7-1 dismantling of Curacao, or will Spain get a couple of goals ahead then pass the ball around until we all fall asleep. The Spanish team has the firepower to do both. Cabo Verde aka Cape Verde seem to have a decent support in the grandstand which is great considering how big the country is and that fans flying in from Africa would be at the mercy of current political views on foreign travel.
5th Min – It’s been relatively quiet, and not surprised as Spain pass the ball and Cabo Verde enthusiastically watch and attempt to stop them at times. This quietness is interrupted by a small mistake from a Cabo Verde defender and Spain’s Pedri picks up the ball near the sideline and on a tight angle and has the most ambitious of shots. Lucky the Cabo Verde keeper was at his near post as it would have been a sensational goal.
10th Min – A corner to Spain and they do very little with it. They aren’t looking super sharp at this stage it must be said. Although a chance from a cross just seconds after typing the above nearly saw a goal and did see some good defending from Cabo Verde.
19th Min – Nothing much yet from the Spanish, and if we’re unfair, and we are at time, their attempts on goal so far have been more League One than La Liga. Cabo Verde are doping what they have to do, but Spain don’t look great so far.
24th Min – Ad break, I mean hydration break and many would be surprised at the 0-0 scoreline, not those watching the game, but people potentially checking their phone and rubbing their tired eyes at 3:30am (in Australia).
28th Min – Spain Marc Cucurella, the guy with the wonderfully wild hair, has a shot that goes a little bit over the bar, but still worth mentioning because of the hair. A few more goal attempts come and come as the half hour approaches and disappears, But Cabo Verde are up for everything at the moment.
34th Min – Cabo Verde’s Dailon Livramento spies an ambitious chance with the Spanish keeper off his line and shoots from inside his own half. It went well wide, but a maginficient first ever World Cup goal it would have been.
36th Min – Shot on Target for Spain nicely tipped over the bar by the Cabo Verde keeper. All academic though as Spain flagged for offside.
38th Min – Oh, Spain should have scored here. One shot hits the middle of the crossbar and bounces back nicely for the Spanish who then shoot again and this one is a bit lower but tipped over the bar by the Cabo Verde keeper.
42nd Min – A breakaway from the Cabo Verde team reminds us that two teams are playing today, and while nothing came of this, it’s good to see then get a little bit of the ball and have a crack.
45th Min – A sharp shot from Spain is aimed straight at the keeper who does it easy. From the middle of the penalty area you could argue it could have been better.
HALF TIME SPAIN 0 CABO VERDE 0
Spain had 58% possession in the first half and just two shots and one shot on target according to broadcasted stats at half time. Underwhelmed to be honest.
51st Min – The second half has brought nothing new yet as Spain control the ball and have the occasional ineffective shot on goal.
52nd Min – Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal spies the Cabo Verde keeper off his line a little and has a shot from wide out that finishes wide away from the post. The Spanish team getting a little more annoyed at the game and themselves.
58th Min – A Mexican wave erupts around the Stadium in Georgia (the state no country) as Spanish continue trying for goal. The fingertips on the Cabo Verde keeper Vozinha will be sore after this game.
67th Min – More of the same as Spain reach for the subs to turn this around. Good time for an ad break, I mean hydration break. If Cabo Verde can hold on here it will be some kind of result. At leasy Yamal is coming on for some entertainment, we’ll see how fit he is.
73rd Min – Yamal involved straight away setting up a chance on goal for Spain which is on target but manageably slow and straight at the keeper. The intensity has lifted a little, maybe it’s the subs or maybe it’s the fact that the side ranked two in the world can’t beat the teams ranked 69th.
78th Min – More Spanish subs as they look to break down the Cabo Verde defence, Dani Olmo comes on. This game is in danger of being a Simpsons special of fast-kicking, low-scoring and Ties, you bet.
87th Min – Another great Spanish chance set up by Yamal with a great pass into the penalty area and what could have been a shot on target on the volley was smothered by desperate Cabo Verde defence.
90th Min – Cabo Verde break away and their shot is deflected out, giving them a corner and a chance at major embarrassment for Spain. The corner is met with a decent header too, but it bounces down into the hands of the Spanish keeper.
90th Min +2 – A Spanish corner and subsequent attack offer very little again, giving Cabo Verde and their increasingly anxious players on the bench and fans reasons to hope. Just a few minutes more for a huge result.
90th Min +5 – Last chance saloon for Sapin with a corner. The header at the near post is flicked on but no one is waiting and the ball rolls out and with it the game is over. Cabo Verde have held on for a 0-0 draw against the might of Spain. A huge result for Cabo Verde and Africa, who are getting more competitive with each World Cup. Not so big a result table-wise for Spain who will probably still top the group, but who knows what drawing this game will do to their confidence. I’d hate to be playing them next. Or Cabo Verde.
SPAIN 0 CABO VERDE 0
This Spain vs Cape Verde Group H match could be a real paddling, the first super spanking of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Multiple thing winning Spain against African first timers Cape Verde. Of course you don’t want to be too disrespectful, but 6-0+ may not be out of the question.
Spain vs Cape Verde Preview
STATS SUMMARY
RATINGS
The Gurgler’s in-house Ratings system based on H2H stats, World Cup stats, recent records, qualifying and past World Cup performance is here to make choosing the winner easier, or have something to blame.
| Spain | 71.4% | Cape Verde | 28.6% |
BARELY INTERESTING STATS
This game could be a real paddling, the first super spanking of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Multiple thing winning Spain against African first timers Cape Verde. Of course you don’t want to be too disrespectful, but 6-0+ may not be out of the question.
Spain’s record v African nations at the World Cup is W3 D2 L1, with the last two games being draws against Morocco.
Spain have only won once in their last four opening round games at the World Cup. The last three opening round games involving Spain have produced 19 goals.
Cape Verde topped their qualifying group, beating regular World Cup visitors Cameroon by four points and a record of W7 D2 L1.
Cape Verde are unbeaten in their last ten games v European nations – W6 D4. They have onbly lost two of 16 games for all time.
Spain have won their last six games in North America.
MATCH PREDICTION
SPAIN 4 CAPE VERDE 0
