World Cup 2026: Reaction as Cape Verde stun Spain

Fact file: Cape Verde

Spain 0-0 Cape Verde

For those of you that aren't too familiar with Cape Verde, don't worry, we have you covered.

The former Portuguese colony comprises 10 islands and five islets, all but three of which are mountainous.

The collection of islands are around 500km off the west coast of Africa and it was at one time a centre of the slave trade.

Today, more people with origins in the islands live outside the country than inside it and the money that they send home brings in much-needed foreign currency.

Their population is estimated to be between 491,000 to 525,000 and their two main languages are Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole.

They are the third-smallest country to qualify for a World Cup in terms of population, behind fellow 2026 debutants Curacao and Iceland in 2018.

'Our time has come'

Spain 0-0 Cape Verde

Paul Njie

BBC News in Praia, Cape Verde

The streets of Cape Verde's capital, Praia, shook to the deafening sounds of vuvuzelas, chants and car horns, after the Blue Sharks held European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw in their World Cup opener.

Though the sides shared the points, for many Cape Verdeans it felt more like a win.

"It was an emotional moment," said Isa Conceição, a supporter who was watching the match from a packed fan zone.

She, like thousands of other attendees, was dressed in a blue national team jersey to show pride in her country's World Cup exploits. Much of the island nation erupted in wild celebrations at the final whistle.

"Being a small country and being able to achieve such a good result against Spain, a football powerhouse, is the greatest feeling ever," she told the BBC.

Men, women, and children were all dancing to the rhythm of the official World Cup song released by the Cape Verdean Football Federation.

As the beats of "nos óra dja txiga" played through the fan zone, supporters chanted along in excitement – some waving the national flag. The word is Cape Verdean Creole for "our time has come".

'Cape Verde will be recognised around the world now'

Spain 0-0 Cape Verde

Ange Postecoglou

Former Australia manager on ITV

The greatness of sport and football lies in the intangibles.

There was something inside those Cape Verde players that wasn't going to let them yield today. We analyse games and say Spain should win this comfortably but we don't have what they have down there inside them, in their heart.

There's a small nation of people now who will say they're from Cape Verde and there's a recognition from everybody in the world about who they are.

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Get Involved - Where does Cape Verde result rank in World Cup shocks?

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This can't be overstated - Cape Verde holding Spain to a draw in their very first World Cup game was a huge shock, but where does it rank in the history of World Cup shocks?

Think Argentina losing to Saudi Arabia at the last World Cup in Qatar, Spain falling to Switzerland in South Africa 2010 and France losing to Senegal in 2002.

All of these happened in the respective countries' opening matches of the tournament.

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'We all cried'

Spain 0-0 Cape Verde

George Santos

Former Cape Verde international on 5 Live Breakfast

There's no words, it was unbelievable. The players did brilliantly and the fans as well - we all cried because of it.

It's the first time we go to the World Cup and then perform like that - what a performance, unbelievable.

[Cape Verde goalkeeper] Vozinha is man of the match for me, some great saves - we got lucky sometimes but yesterday was tremendous. He brought his experience his calmness.

Everybody was emotional and without him we could have lost the game, but it was a great performance from everyone and everyone who came on.

We got lucky as Spain didn't play with high intensity, but we had the fitness and discipline.

The coach did well but the main reason it worked was because the guys were disciplined, diligent and Vozinha was man of the match.

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Right, scroll down to the bottom of this page to watch the highlights from the latest four World Cup matches.

You can also find a brief summary of each match and how they have affected the standings in Groups G and H.

So now you are up to speed, lets get some reaction to those results, starting - obviously - with Cape Verde's stunning draw against European champions Spain in what was their very first match at a World Cup.

Motherwell's Just scores twice but NZ held by Iran

Iran 2-2 New Zealand

Adam Millington

BBC Sport journalist

The second game in Group G saw Iran twice come from behind in Los Angeles to deny New Zealand a first win at a World Cup.

Motherwell forward Elijah Just gave New Zealand a flying start as he thumped home a half-volley after Chris Wood held up the ball and knocked it into his path.

New Zealand continued to show promise but, as has already often been the case at this World Cup, the first hydration break midway through the first half proved costly as the momentum swung and Iran found a way to level when Ramin Rezaeian flicked the ball past Max Crocombe.

Before their leveller, Iran's star forward Mehdi Taremi had come close to finding an equaliser when he struck the post with an powerful drive from outside the box. After making it 1-1, Iran also had a goal ruled out for offside.

New Zealand took a while to get going in the second half but Just popped up once more to put his side back in front as he combined with Wood again and lofted the ball over Alireza Beiranvand.

But Iran found a way to restore parity when Mohammad Mohebbi met Rezaeian's cross and guided a header in off the inside of the post.

Belgium come back to draw with Egypt

Belgium 1-1 Egypt

Joe Rindl

BBC Sport

Group G also kicked off with two draws in the opening matches.

A second-half own goal denied Egypt a first ever World Cup win as Belgium rescued a point from their opener in Seattle.

The Pharaohs took the lead in the 21st minute through Al Ahly midfielder Emam Ashour, who thundered a 20-yard strike into the bottom corner past Thibaut Courtois.

But Thomas Meunier's low cross was turned into his own net by Egypt defender Mohamed Hany in the 66th minute, under pressure from substitute Romelu Lukaku.

Egypt were backed by a passionate support base on the USA's west coast as they hunted their first World Cup win in eight games, having made their tournament debut back in 1934.

Instead the seven-time African champions spent the final moments holding on and managed to avoid defeat at a World Cup for only the third time.

Uruguay score late to deny Saudi Arabia in Miami

Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay

Spain's unexpected draw with minnows Cape Verde gave Saudi Arabia and Uruguay the chance to take charge of Group H.

Saudi Arabia looked set to go top after Abdulelah al Amri turned the ball home four minutes before the half-time break.

But Maxi Araujo scored a late equaliser to deny the Saudis another memorable opening-game win at a World Cup.

They stunned the world when they beat eventual winners Argentina in their first match at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. But Saudi Arabia could not hold off a second-half onslaught from Uruguay - who ended with 28 shots on goal - as Marcelo Bielsa's side earned a deserved point.

Good morning

There is no doubting what was the big story from the latest round of World Cup matches and we will be looking in more detail at that momentous first point for debutants Cape Verde against the European champions.

However, one of the great World Cup shocks was the trigger for a run of four draws in what was a competitive evening/night/morning of action.

Egypt missed out on a first ever win at a World Cup after being pegged back by Belgium, while Uruguay battled back to earn a point against Saudi Arabia. South America continues its wait for a first win at this tournament.

Finally, there were doubts that Iran would ever be able to take to the field at this World Cup, but its players were able to put the politics behind them to twice come from behind in an entertaining 2-2 draw with New Zealand in Los Angeles.

World Cup debutants Cape Verde earn stunning draw against Spain

Spain 0-0 Cape Verde

Phil McNulty

BBC Sport chief football writer

Debutants Cape Verde produced one of the biggest World Cup shocks of recent times by holding Spain to a goalless draw in Atlanta.

The third-smallest country in terms of population to qualify for a World Cup, Cape Verde were 67th in Fifa's latest rankings and many expected them to be swept aside by second-ranked Spain in their opening Group H contest.

However, the reigning European champions were laboured in attack for long spells and on the occasions Spain threatened the Cape Verde goal, 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha kept them at bay with numerous fine saves.

The introduction of Lamine Yamal as a second-half substitute injected life into his side and the Spain fans inside the stadium, but the Barcelona teenager - making his first appearance for almost eight weeks following his recovery from a hamstring injury - could not produce a decisive moment on his World Cup debut.

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