1. 16

   Sidny Lopes Cabral

   Booking · Yellow Card

2. 61

   L. Duarte

   Substitution · D. Duarte

3. 61

   D. Livramento

   Substitution · N. Da Costa

4. 61

   J. Cabral

   Substitution · W. Semedo

5. Gavi

   Substitution · Lamine Yamal

   71

6. F. Ruiz

   Substitution · M. Merino

   71
7. 76

   S. Lopes Cabral

   Substitution · Joao Paulo

8. 79

   J. Monteiro

   Substitution · T. Arcanjo

9. F. Torres

   Substitution · D. Olmo

   81

10. Rodri

    Substitution · N. Williams

    87

11. Pedri

    Booking · Yellow Card

    90+3

★ The storyline

WildcardDeveloping

David Steps Up: Cape Verde's First World Cup and a Date with the Favourites

Cape Verde have pulled off the improbable, reaching the knockout stages at their maiden World Cup. A draw with Spain and a result against Uruguay have built genuine momentum, and now they face a monumental challenge against one of the tournament's heavyweights. Their journey to this point is no accident — years of foundation-building have culminated in a moment that feels larger than football itself.

Rui Águas

Source: CNN — via web search

WildcardDeveloping

Spain are held by Cape Verde Islands

A point, not three. Spain drew 0–0 with Cape Verde Islands in the group stage — not a disaster, but the kind of afternoon that makes the final round of matches feel a little tighter.

WildcardDeveloping

Cape Verde Islands are held by Spain

A point, not three. Cape Verde Islands drew 0–0 with Spain in the group stage — not a disaster, but the kind of afternoon that makes the final round of matches feel a little tighter.

TalismanDeveloping

Spain's Round 32 Test Against Cape Verde

Spain face Cape Verde in the knockout stages, looking to build on their early tournament form. The match comes as a significant step up in competition after group-stage victories. Spain's attacking prowess—averaging nearly three goals per game—will be tested by tighter defensive opposition. A convincing performance would set the tone for Spain's deeper World Cup ambitions.

Spanish Leadership

Source: FOX Sports — via web search

TalismanDeveloping

Spain and Cape Verde: A Group Stage Reckoning

Spain and Cape Verde faced off in a World Cup 2026 group stage where every match carried genuine weight—qualification was no longer certain for any side. The fixture pitted a European heavyweight against an underdog fighting for a place in the knockout rounds, with both teams knowing that mistakes in this phase could prove fatal to their tournament hopes.

Source: telecomasia.net — via web search

VeteranDeveloping

Spain's Unfinished Business Against Debutants Cape Verde

Spain dominated their World Cup group stage, yet will carry an unresolved edge into the knockout round: Cape Verde held them to a goalless draw. The African debutants have proven they belong on this stage, also drawing with Uruguay, and won't be intimidated. Spain now faces the task of converting dominance into goals when it matters most.

Lionel Messi

Source: Reuters — via web search

TalismanDeveloping

Minnows Make History: Cape Verde Reach Knockout Stage in World Cup Bow

Cape Verde has done the unthinkable in their maiden World Cup appearance, reaching the round of 32 as Group H runners-up. A hard-fought draw with Saudi Arabia saw them progress despite starting as heavy underdogs, their blend of organisation and grit enough to finish ahead of bigger names. Now they face Argentina in the next round—a fixture that will test whether their dream run has legs against genuine heavyweights.

Source: Sky Sports — via web search

TalismanDeveloping

Against the odds: Cape Verde crash the knockout stage

Cape Verde have pulled off one of the World Cup's most improbable feats, reaching the round of 32 with just a single point to their name. A draw against Saudi Arabia, combined with a fortuitous result elsewhere in the group, was enough to see the island nation through — a feat achieved only once before under the current three-points-for-a-win system. Their goalkeeper Vozinha has emerged as a folk hero, keeping a clean sheet against the defending European champions and anchoring a historic qualifying campaign.

Vozinha

Source: The New York Times — via web search

ComebackDeveloping

Spain Seal Group with Uruguay Stumble

Spain won Group H with a 1-0 victory over Uruguay, courtesy of another error from the Uruguayan goalkeeper, to secure their passage to the knockout rounds. The Spaniards, seeking a second World Cup title, recovered from an opening stalemate against Cape Verde with a commanding 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia before dispatching the two-time champions. Uruguay's campaign unraveled into chaos—a pair of draws followed by elimination, marking a sharp fall from their storied World Cup pedigree. Cape Verde, meanwhile, held firm with draws of their own, finishing second in the group and earning an unlikely berth in the last 16 as a underdog story to savour.

Fernando MusleraSpain squadCape Verde

Source: ESPN — via web search

★ Emerging starDeveloping

Cape Verde's World Cup Debut: David Stuns Goliaths

Cape Verde has announced itself on the world's biggest stage in the most dramatic way: by refusing to lose. In their maiden World Cup appearance, the island nation has held powerhouse Spain to a stalemate and rattled Uruguay, leaving traditional football giants searching for answers. With 530,000 people back home watching in disbelief, these underdogs have turned grit and organisation into a genuine tournament story, proving that sometimes the biggest surprises come from the smallest flags.

Dailon LivramentoSidny Lopes Cabral

Source: CNN — via web search

★ Emerging starDeveloping

Spain Storms Past Cape Verde, Sets Statement Early

Spain made a bold impression in their opening clash, with Lamine Yamal leading the charge as the defending champions flexed their attacking depth. Mikel Oyarzabal stole the spotlight with a blistering first-half performance—two goals and an assist inside 25 minutes, a feat matched by precious few players in World Cup history. While Cape Verde grabbed their maiden World Cup goal via direct free kick, a historic moment for the island nation, Spain's clinical dominance sets up an intriguing question: can they sustain this form, or will they need to tighten up defensively as the tournament progresses?

Lamine YamalMikel Oyarzabal

Source: FOX Sports — via web search

WildcardDeveloping

The Islanders Who Won't Lie Down

Cape Verde arrived at World Cup 2026 as rank outsiders, and they're writing a script nobody saw coming. Against two-time winners Uruguay, they showed a fearlessness that belied their underdog status — taking the lead, going behind, and fighting back to draw in a chaotic, thrilling Group H encounter. With two points already banked and their belief hardened by defiant performances, this small African nation is proving that pedigree counts for less than heart.

Kevin PinaHelio Varela

Source: Sky Sports — via web search

★ Emerging starDeveloping

Spain hunt redemption against Cape Verde

Spain's opening draw left them needing a statement win to assert themselves as genuine contenders in Group H. Cape Verde, making their World Cup bow, arrive as plucky underdogs who could pull off one of the tournament's early shocks. For the Spanish, this is the moment to click into gear; for the island nation, it's a chance to announce themselves on football's biggest stage. One of these sides walks away having reset their tournament narrative entirely.

Lamine Yamal

Source: bozemandailychronicle.com — via web search

Why it matters

Group stage, Group H — points on the line.

Who to watch

L★ Emerging star

Lamine Yamal

Spain

The teenage spark lighting up the attack and the one everyone will be watching.

vs

D★ Emerging star

Dailon Livramento

Cape Verde Islands

The man to watch — the spark expected to carry Cape Verde's attacking threat on the biggest stage.

Developing

Developing

Spain are through to the last 32

Spain are into the last 32. Job done in the group, and now the tournament really begins — one-and-done from here, every match a final.

Developing

Cape Verde Islands are through to the last 32

Cape Verde Islands are into the last 32. Job done in the group, and now the tournament really begins — one-and-done from here, every match a final.

Developing

Spain are world champions

Read it again slowly: Spain have won the World Cup. They beat Argentina 1–0 in the final, and everything this family shouted at a screen all summer just turned into the story you'll be telling for the rest of your lives. Champions of the world.

Developing

Spain win it in extra time

All square after ninety, and still nobody blinked — until Spain struck in the 106th minute against Argentina in the final. Extra time does strange things to legs and nerves; theirs held. Heartbreak one end, bedlam the other.

Teams out: Spain 4-3-3 · Cape Verde Islands 4-1-4-1. Full lineups on the pitch in the Lineups tab.