In a surprising turn of events, Spain opened their World Cup campaign with a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, marking the African side's first-ever point on the world stage. The match, held on June 15, 2026, showcased the resilience of the Blue Sharks, who effectively contained Spain's attacking threats throughout the game.

Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, aged 39, made an impressive seven saves, yet the match statistics highlighted Spain's struggles to penetrate the defense. Despite dominating possession, Spain's forwards, particularly Mikel Oyarzabal, found it challenging to make an impact.

Mikel Oyarzabal set an unwanted record by becoming the first player in World Cup history, since records began in 1966, to play the initial 30 minutes of a match without touching the ball. After finally making contact, Oyarzabal's first touch led to a breakdown of a half-chance, and he ended the match with 25 touches, five shots, and 10 passes—eight of which were successful.

Spain's overall attacking issues were evident, with Gavi and Ferran Torres unable to stretch the Cape Verde defense in the first 70 minutes. Manager Luis de la Fuente will likely look to the return of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams to address these shortcomings as they prepare for their next challenge.