European champions Spain national football team were held to a stunning 0-0 draw by World Cup newcomers Cabo Verde national football team on Monday, as the tournament produced its first major surprise.
Spain entered their Group H opener in Atlanta as overwhelming favourites but failed to break down the resilient Cabo Verde defence despite dominating possession and creating the bulk of the chances.
Even the second-half introduction of teenage star Lamine Yamal could not unlock the Cabo Verde backline as the underdogs secured a famous point in their first-ever World Cup match.
Nicknamed the Blue Sharks, Cabo Verde celebrated wildly at the final whistle after frustrating the 2010 world champions.
The island nation of roughly 525,000 people qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament and delivered one of the competition’s biggest shocks.
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In stark contrast to the searing temperatures faced by some other sides, Atlanta’s state-of-the-art air-conditioned stadium meant there was no excuses for the slow tempo of Spain’s build-up.
Indeed, the mid-half hydration break was met by boos with fans frustrated at the break in play despite the cool conditions.
It took until six minutes before half-time for Spain to seriously threaten.
Marc Cucurella, fresh for sealing his move from Chelsea to Real Madrid, sent over a teasing cross that Ferran Torres turned onto the crossbar and Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha got back on his feet to turn Mikel Oyarzabal’s looping header over the bar.
Torres tested Vozinha again moments later before Aymeric Laporte’s header from a corner was also clawed away by the Cabo Verde number one just before half-time.
