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Spain held to a draw by Cape Verde in World Cup opener

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 15, 2026, 6:19 PM

Last updated Jun 15, 2026

Spain held to a draw by Cape Verde in World Cup opener

Summary

Spain and Cape Verde faced off on June 15 in Atlanta, where Cape Verde managed to secure a historic draw against the 2010 world champions. Despite dominating possession, Spain struggled to create significant scoring opportunities and failed to find the net. Coach Luis de la Fuente’s decisions regarding player selection, including leaving Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo on the bench, drew criticism as the match progressed. Alejandro Grimaldo went unused as a substitute during the contest. Spain's next match is against Saudi Arabia on June 21, where a victory is crucial for their chances of advancing in the tournament.

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By the Numbers

•Spain and Cape Verde drew 0-0 in their World Cup opener.
•The match took place in Atlanta on June 15.
•Spain struggled to convert possession into clear chances.
•Coach Luis de la Fuente faced questions over player selections.
•Spain's next match is against Saudi Arabia on June 21.

Latest Updates

6:19 PMYahoo Sports — World Cup: Spain held by debutants Cape Verde as Grimaldo remains unused

What they're saying

"
In what is undoubtedly one of the biggest surprises of the tournament so far, Cape Verde produced a disciplined and resilient display to earn a historic point against the 2010 world champions in Atlan...
— Yahoo Sports

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