Spain 0–0 Cape Verde; The first upset of the tournament took place

Cape Verde earned the first surprise of the 2026 World Cup by holding Spain to a goalless draw in their Group H opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Spain controlled possession from the start and tried to work their way through with short passing, but Cape Verde stayed compact, pressed aggressively and blocked the spaces around their box.

The pattern did not change after the break. Luis de la Fuente's side kept the ball for long spells and repeatedly reached the edge of the area, yet the Cape Verde defence and goalkeeper stood up to every spell of pressure.

Lamine Yamal came on in the 71st minute and Dani Olmo followed in the 81st, but Spain still could not find a breakthrough.

The match, which pitted the 2010 world champions against a team making their first World Cup appearance, finished without a winner. Jordanian referee Adham Mohammad was in charge, and Cindy Lopes Cabral of Cape Verde was booked.