Far and wide, Spain has been included in conversations regarding the possible winners of the 2026 World Cup. As the reigning European champions and a team currently ranked third by FIFA, they came into the tournament sure of a great result… Only to draw their first match against the easily dismissible Cape Verde. The disappointing first match cast doubts on their future in the tournament and created a question that all fans want to see answered. What happened to Spain?
The problem with the game was that Spain seemed unable to do anything at all. They dominated in terms of possession, but it meant little when they couldn’t convert the advantage into something that mattered: goals. Even if they did manage to create a good chance, one of two scenarios unfolded. Sometimes, they would waste the opportunity completely by overshooting or hitting the bar. More often than not, they were stopped by the incredibly impressive Vozinha.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper managed a game that was sure to impress even Spain’s most die-hard fans. He blocked attack after attack, never once letting the ball see the back of his net. While he was greatly aided by his teammates, who tended to crowd near the goal, it was he who got Cape Verde the point they so desperately wanted. After the match, he stated:
“I have worked my whole life for this moment. I’m 40 years old. I started playing football professionally when I was 25, in 2012. I thought about leaving, but I continued because of this dream. This is for everyone. I was named man of the match, but this is for all of my teammates because without them, nothing would be possible. I will continue to work for Cape Verde and for the people”
Vozinha also spoke out on the way in which he believes the fans view his team:
“Everyone thought we came here just to enjoy the World Cup, but we know we have a team that deserves respect. It’s our first time, but we are here to compete and to fight for our country.”
Vozinha’s words touch upon an issue that I believe ultimately ended up being Spain’s downfall. They came into the game with little regard to their opponent, almost as if believing that the victory would be theirs simply because they “deserved it”. Instead of playing like a team proud to have made it into the World Cup, they approached the game with some distance because they didn’t believe that there existed a world in which Cape Verde could match their strengths.
The Spaniards only began trying once they noticed that the clock was dangerously close to running out, but by then it was too late for them to find their rhythm. Underestimating the opponent cost them the precious three points and the security of being seen as one of the favourites for the ultimate trophy.
The game was a terrible start to the tournament, with many people turning off their TVs, feeling that Spain can be officially disregarded as a possible winner of the 2026 World Cup. I don’t believe that the situation is as black and white. A bad game can be the end of hope, but it can also be nothing, as long as it is corrected later down the line. Many fans laughed at Argentina after their 1:2 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, but the team still ended up leaving the tournament as champions.
I believe that, while the game did put Spain’s general form into question, it does not necessarily paint them as a team unable to win. Of course, they can only do so if they change their attitude to the game and return to the shape they have been in, for example, during the 2024 Euros.
While Spain’s game was, without a doubt, Monday’s biggest surprise, it wasn’t the only game played that day. Interestingly enough, all the matches happened to be draws. For the Spaniards, a particularly important result was that of the meeting between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. Since it ended in a 1:1, both teams added one point to their tally, equalising the playing field in Group H.
Belgium and Egypt faced off in an evenly matched game. While many expected Belgium to easily overpower Egypt, the African team put their best foot forward and put up a fight that ended with 1:1 as the final result. Finally, Iran and New Zealand played a great 2:2 game, which also left every team from their group, Group G, with exactly one point to their name.
It remains to be seen whether Spain will be able to redeem itself after the disappointing first game. In the group stage, they are still set to face Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, and it is certain that both their matches will be highly scrutinised by the fans.
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