The surprise of the night at the 2026 World Cup came from Atlanta. European champions Spain, near the top of the FIFA rankings, were powerless in front of goal against 67th-ranked World Cup debutants Cabo Verde, leaving the pitch with a 0-0 draw.
Pressure, but no goals
At the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Spain dominated possession (around 70%) and territory. La Roja created chance after chance in the first half: Vozinha denied Pedri, Oyarzabal's header hit the post, and Vozinha saved Ferran Torres's effort on the rebound. Although Lamine Yamal came on in the second half to add dynamism, he could not change the outcome.
Star of the night: Vozinha
The undisputed hero was Cabo Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha (Josimar Dias). With four saves in the first half and up to six in the match, he denied the likes of Ferran Torres, Pedri and Aymeric Laporte. Playing for Chaves in Portugal's second tier, Vozinha also made history as the second-oldest player to make his World Cup debut, at 40 years and 12 days.
Not just the keeper: a disciplined defence
Vozinha was not alone. The Cabo Verde defence crowded Spain into tight areas, disrupting La Roja's flow. Resilient against corners and crosses, the "Blue Sharks" stopped one of the tournament favourites and earned a point from their first-ever World Cup match.
A historic moment for Cabo Verde
This result is one of the biggest moments in the first World Cup adventure of Cabo Verde, a West African island nation of around 500,000 people. The draw against the European champions added another chapter to football's "small but mighty" stories. Cabo Verde next face Uruguay in the group, while Spain continue their campaign.
Note: The score and match details are based on official data from FIFA, ESPN and international sports sources. Amedspor News reports neutrally.