Minnows Cape Verde hold Spain on WC debut
by Kickoff Reporter · KickOffFIFA World Cup debutants Cape Verde opened their group stage campaign by holding Spain to a 0-0 draw at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Monday night.
Fixture: Spain v Cape Verde
Score: 0-0
Goalscorers: NA
La Roja began pursuit for a second title and overcomethe last 16 exits in the past two editions in Russia and Qatar, but were up against a tricky debutant and 67th ranked Cabo Verde.
Spain enjoyed a lot of the possession in the earlier stakes and could’ve made the breakthrough with a low snap shot outside the box by Pedri, but goalkeeper Vozinho was able to make a stop.
Marc Cucurella staged a scare too from the left of the area after he came short to cut-inside and fired over the top from a tight angle.
Cucurella remained impactful in his very position minutes to the interval and came out on the byline to draw a cutback to Ferran Torres for a finish off the side-foot inside the box, but the woodwork denied him.
The action continued at that very point where the ball from the upright went back into play and met Mikel Oyarzabal who had his goal-bound header tipped over by Vozinho, before Aymeric Laporte went close with a smart header from a corner-kick, but the goalkeeper ensured the sides went into the break all square.
Second Half:
Oyarzabal provided another threat two minutes after halftime with a header in the box from a cross by Pedro, but he once again couldn’t get it on target and dragged wide.
Barring the waves of attack s on all fronts by La Roja, the opener remained continued to evade amidst a header by Fabian Ruiz drawing Vozinho to a save with Pedri yet again providing the delivery.
The European champions looked to the bench for inspiration to unlocking the Islanders after the hydration break and introduced Mikel Merino for Ruiz and talisman Lamine Yamal ahead of Oyarzabal.
The Blue Sharks remained content sitting back and frustrating the 2010 champions, but were lived in the edge late on when a strong header by Cucurella worked Vozinho to a save.
Cape Verde almost stole the points and caused a major upset through a clever nod by Disney Borges off a corner, but Unai Simon repelled and it finished goalless as the Blues Sharks snatched a vital point.
Next Fixtures:
Spain:
1. Saudi Arabia
2. Uruguay
Cape Verde:
1. Uruguay
2. Saudi Arabia