Cabo Verde faces Spain in historic World Cup debut match

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⚽️ Kick-off time: 3pm local/5pm BST/12pm EDT/2am AEST ⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Wallchart | And mail Daniel There have never been more brilliant footballers in the world than there are now – one reason it’s so hard to pick a winner of this competition. Knockout ties often come down to which individual delivers – or fails to deliver – at the crucial moment and, with so many countries boasting numerous individuals able to turn a game and humans being inherently unreliable, we can’t know which of them will be grooved – or heartbreakingly, hilariously inept – when the time comes. But it remains the case that Spain, though not obvious champions, are the hardest team to beat. Things have changed since they won three consecutive competitions 2008-12 – you can’t dominate possession to the same absurd extent once you no longer have Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta – club’s football’s greatest midfield – plus Xabi Alonso, plus another midfielder or two in lieu of strikers. Continue reading...

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Spain open their World Cup Group H campaign against Cape Verde in Atlanta, with former Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz lining up in midfield for the reigning European champions.For Cape Verde, former La...

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Cabo Verde is making its first ever appearance on soccer's biggest stage. Get live updates as the Tubarões Azuis take on Spain in Atlanta.