Spain held goalless by Cape Verde after dominant first 30 minutes

Spain were left frustrated in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener as they failed to break the deadlock against debutants Cape Verde after the first 30 minutes of play, with the score remaining 0–0 despite sustained pressure.

By the half-hour mark, Spain had dominated possession and territory but managed only a single shot on target, as Cape Verde held firm with a disciplined defensive setup.

Pre-match attention had centered on the absence of teenage star Lamine Yamal from the starting XI. The Barcelona winger, who suffered a hamstring injury in April, is still not fully fit and began the match on the bench as part of his ongoing rehabilitation process.

Cape Verde, meanwhile, made history in their World Cup debut by fielding the tournament’s oldest starting lineup so far, with an average age of 31 years and 26 days.

Veteran goalkeeper Vózinha, aged 40, featured prominently, adding to a historic statistical milestone. His appearance, alongside Germany’s Manuel Neuer earlier in the tournament, marked the first time in World Cup history that two players aged 40 or above have featured in the same edition.

Despite Spain’s early control in possession, Cape Verde’s compact structure and resilience kept the European giants from converting pressure into clear chances, ensuring the match remained goalless heading toward halftime.