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Cape Verde pulled off a major surprise at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after holding Spain to a goalless draw, earning their first-ever point in the tournament’s history.

The Spanish national team, which had the backing of Surabaya’s Deputy Mayor Armuji, appeared flat against Cape Verde’s spirited performance.

The heroic display by Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper left Spain’s attacking line frustrated as they failed to find a breakthrough.

The Group H match between Spain and Cape Verde took place at the Atlanta Stadium in the United States on Tuesday (June 16) early morning local time, ending 0-0.

This scoreline came as a shock for Spain, who could not score despite fielding youngster Lamine Yamal in the second half. For Cape Verde, this was a historic moment — their first point in their World Cup debut, a hard-earned and priceless achievement.

The result proved that even a World Cup favourite like Spain could be held back by a disciplined opponent. Cape Verde frustrated Lamine Yamal and his teammates throughout the game.

“Spain is considered one of the strongest contenders for the title this year,” said Adrian from Spieltag Indonesia on the ‘Super Tactic’ podcast titled “SUPER TAKTIK: Mapping the 2026 World Cup Strengths and Indonesia’s Dreams” at Tribunnews Solo Office, Karanganyar, Central Java.

He added that the presence of young talents like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams forms the backbone of Spain’s current strength. “Spain has a new golden generation with young, skillful players such as Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams who drive their attack,” he explained.

The spotlight of the match was on Cape Verde’s veteran goalkeeper Vozinha. The 40-year-old delivered a heroic performance with over seven crucial saves, ensuring his goal remained untouched.

Match Summary: Spain vs Cape Verde

Spain dominated possession from the start under Luis De la Fuente’s guidance, while Cape Verde opted to stay compact and wait for counterattacking chances.

Spain earned their first free kick in the third minute when Barcelona forward Ferran Torres was fouled near the corner area, but it did not lead to a clear opportunity. Despite their dominance, Spain struggled to penetrate Cape Verde’s defensive structure.

Pedri’s shot on target in the 6th minute was calmly handled by Vozinha. Cape Verde’s first counterattack came when Spain’s backline was left with only two defenders, but Aymeric Laporte managed to clear the danger with a crucial header.

Past the 10-minute mark, Spain still could not breach Cape Verde’s penalty area. The Spanish side was forced to rely on crosses rather than their signature quick passing plays. In the 16th minute, Pedri’s long-range effort was again saved by Vozinha.

By the 20th minute, Spain had yet to produce a meaningful chance inside the box. Their creativity seemed to fade near the final third. Marc Cucurella nearly broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, but his volley went just over the crossbar.

By the 35th minute, Spain’s inability to score or even create clear-cut chances became a surprising twist. In the 39th minute, Cucurella’s cross found Ferran Torres, whose shot hit the bar. Mikel Oyarzabal’s rebound header was brilliantly tipped away by the flying Vozinha.

Spain kept pressing until halftime, but the score remained 0-0. In the second half, they intensified their attacks, yet the goal never came. At the 60-minute mark, wonderkid Lamine Yamal began warming up and entered the game soon after.

By the 68th minute, Spanish fans started booing, dissatisfied with the team’s display. Coach De la Fuente responded by substituting Lamine Yamal and Mikel Merino for Fabian Ruiz and Gavi. The match eventually ended 0-0 — a stunning result.

Starting Line-ups

Spain: Unai Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Pedri, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Ferran Torres, Oyarzabal, Gavi.

Cape Verde: Vozinha, Moreira, R. Lopes, Borges, Lopes Cabral, Lenini, Duarte, Mendes, Monteiro, Jovane Cabral, Livramento.

Spain Supported by Surabaya Deputy Mayor Armuji

The World Cup fever has reached local governments as well. Surabaya Deputy Mayor Armuji expressed his strong support for Spain, believing the team has the best chance of winning the tournament.

He based his confidence on Spain’s balanced squad and the emergence of young talents like Lamine Yamal. For Armuji, affectionately known as Cak Ji, his support is not merely emotional but grounded in tactical reasoning and proven performance.

“I’m happy to see young talents shining at the World Cup. Lamine Yamal is a fantastic player. Spain, in my view, is mature and well-prepared to win this year,” said Cak Ji on Monday (June 8, 2026).

According to him, Spain is more than just a collection of stars. The team under Luis De la Fuente combines youthful energy with experienced veterans, forming a well-balanced and dangerous unit. Most of Spain’s players are also key figures at their clubs, not just squad fillers.

“I’ve noticed that many of them are from Barcelona. That means they have strong chemistry and cohesion,” added Cak Ji.

The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across three host countries — Canada, Mexico, and the United States — featuring 48 teams competing for the sport’s most prestigious trophy.

Yamal, the Young Star Awaited by Cak Ji

The player Cak Ji anticipates most is Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teenage sensation. He described Yamal as a lethal weapon capable of breaking through defences — a modern striker with exceptional vision and finishing instincts beyond his years.

Yamal has already showcased his quality for Barcelona this season, and Cak Ji believes the World Cup stage will further elevate the 2007-born prodigy’s global reputation.

On Par with Argentina, France, and England

Cak Ji considers Spain to be on the same level as football powerhouses like Argentina, France, and England. He recalled Spain’s triumph over England in the Euro 2024 final as proof of their dominance.

With a world-class midfield, aggressive attacking play, and a winning mentality, Cak Ji remains confident that La Furia Roja can reclaim global glory in 2026.

Community Viewing and Memories of 2010

To express his support, Cak Ji plans to host community viewing events in Surabaya during Spain’s matches. His admiration for the Spanish team goes back to their 2010 World Cup victory, when legends like Andrés Iniesta, Gerard Piqué, Carles Puyol, and Iker Casillas led Spain to their first title.

Now, with a new generation of stars, Cak Ji hopes that glorious history will repeat itself in 2026.

Meanwhile, Bangkalan Deputy Regent Moch Fauzan Ja’far has pledged his support for Brazil, even purchasing the team’s jersey during a local event in Kampung Senenan, Bangkalan, on Monday (June 1, 2026). The World Cup fever has begun to energize the region, with sports merchandise stores reporting increased sales.

“I hope the 2026 World Cup brings blessings to local small businesses, especially those selling sports merchandise,” said Fauzan. “I bought Brazil’s jersey today, and I hope they reach the final and win the World Cup.”

List of 2026 World Cup Participating Nations:

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic.
Group B: Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland.
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland.
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey.
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador.
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Switzerland, Tunisia.
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand.
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay.
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan.
Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia.
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama.