Sensation at the World Cup: First favourite Spain fail to beat debutants Cape Verde

(Patria) - The first favourite to win the World Cup, the Spanish national team, did not live up to expectations at the start of the tournament. La Furia played only a 0-0 draw in Atlanta against debutants Cape Verde, thus producing the biggest surprise of the competition so far.

Before the championship, Spain were considered the main candidate for the title according to global bookmakers' assessments, but on the pitch they failed to confirm that role. On the other hand, the African team played a disciplined and combative match and secured a point that will be remembered for a long time.

As expected, Spain had complete control of possession from the first whistle, but for a long time they could not seriously threaten the opponent's goal. As the end of the first half approached, the pressure grew, but experienced Vozinha stepped onto the scene.

The 40-year-old goalkeeper of Cape Verde shone in the closing stages of the first half. In the 39th minute, he stopped Ferran Torres in a one-on-one situation, and the same player failed to beat him six minutes later. Torres also hit the crossbar at the end of the first half, so the teams went to the break without goals.

In the second half, coach Luis de la Fuente also brought on Lamine Yamal, who had just recovered from an injury that had previously made them reluctant to risk his appearance.

Spain continued to search for a way to the net. Mikel Oyarzabal immediately tried to surprise the rushing Vozinha with a long-range shot at the start of the second half, but without success, while the Cape Verde goalkeeper later saved another very dangerous attempt.

Vozinha then also stopped a shot from Mikel Merino in the 73rd minute, and ten minutes later he saved a header from Marc Cucurella, confirming his status as the hero of the match.

Just when it seemed Spain would finally find a winning goal, Cape Verde could have shocked the world in the first minute of stoppage time. Diney Borges found himself in a good position, but his shot ended up in the hands of the Spanish goalkeeper.

The score did not change until the end, so Cape Verde earned a great point in their debut appearance at the World Cup, while Spain will already have to answer questions at the start about their form and whether they deserve the status of the tournament's first favourite.

However, it should be noted that the current world champion Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia at the opening of the 2022 World Cup, and then went all the way to the top.

Also in this group are Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, who will play their mutual duel during the night.