Spain Held to 0-0 Draw by Cape Verde as Vozinha Stars
Spain dominated with 74% possession and 27 shots, but Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha made 7 saves to earn his side a valuable point in their World Cup debut.
On June 16, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Group H kicked off with Spain facing World Cup debutants Cape Verde. The match ended 0-0, with Spain dominating possession but failing to score, while Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha earned a 9.6 rating as man of the match.
In the first half, Spain held 74% possession with a 92% pass accuracy, but struggled to break down Cape Verde's compact defense. Spain recorded 27 total shots, 7 on target, 12 off target, and 8 blocked, with an expected goals (xG) of 2.29, yet could not beat Vozinha. Cape Verde managed only 6 shots, 1 on target, with an xG of 0.30.
Spain continued to press in the second half, earning 11 corner kicks, but Cape Verde's organized defense and Vozinha's heroics kept them at bay. The goalkeeper made 7 saves overall. Cape Verde committed only 1 foul and received 1 yellow card, showcasing excellent discipline. Spain also had one yellow card.
Statistically, Spain dominated in passes (801 vs 279), possession (74% vs 26%), and corners (11 vs 1), but Cape Verde's resilient defense and outstanding goalkeeping earned them a valuable point on the road.
The player of the match was Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha. The 39-year-old, who plays for GD Chaves in Portugal, has 88 international caps. He made 7 saves and completed 42 passes, earning a 9.6 rating. Born in Mindelo, Cape Verde, standing 189 cm tall, and with a market value of just €50k, he proved to be the anchor of his team's defense.
After this match, Spain and Cape Verde both have 1 point and a goal difference of 0, sitting joint top of Group H. Saudi Arabia and Uruguay have yet to play their first match.
For Spain, failing to beat a relatively weaker opponent adds pressure. They face Saudi Arabia on June 22 and must win to regain control. Cape Verde will face Uruguay on the same day; if they can replicate this defensive performance, they could continue to pick up points.
Overall, Spain's possession-based style remains sharp but lacks a clinical finisher; Cape Verde's stubborn defense wrote a brilliant chapter in their World Cup debut. The competition in Group H is just beginning.
For more match details, visit the match page. Follow Spain and Cape Verde's campaigns on their team pages: Spain and Cape Verde. Group H standings are available on the group page.