Defending European champions Spain kicked off their World Cup campaign against tournament debutants Cape Verde on Monday.
It was the biggest ranking mis-match in North America. A Lamine Yamal-less La Roja were expected to dominate regardless. However, even as they dominated possession in the opening exchanges, Spain failed to muster their first chance until the 15th minute as Pedri fired in a tame effort at Vozinha.
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Fabian Ruiz and Pau Cubarsi chanced their luck from range, but Cape Verde remained compact to frustrate Luis de la Fuente’s side. It took until the 40th minute for Spain to forge their first decent chance after good work by Rodri and Marc Cucurella.
Cucurella found space in the Cape Verde box and teed up perfectly for Ferran Torres. However, the Barcelona man somehow hit the crossbar from six yards. Mikel Oyarzabal’s subsequent header was turned over by Vozinha. The 40-year-old was hand to deny Torres shortly before the break as the European champions huffed and puffed to break Cape Verde down.
Spain continued to push and push for a second-half opener as Ruiz, Oyarzabal, Torres and Pedri all chanced their luck. Lamine Yamal was introduced with 20 minutes to play, and he was involved immediately as the Barcelona teen fed into Marcos Llorente to set up Mikel Merino. The Arsenal man’s effort was straight at Vozinha, however.
Pico Lopes made a heroic block to deny Oyarzabal, while at the other end; centre-back Diny Borges spurned a late chance to win it for Cape Verde at the death.
The Euro 2024 winners continued to dominate the ball as Oyarzabal flicked a late corner across goal. Spain, though, failed to make their dominance goal as they, like in 2010, fluffed their chances in the opening match.
Spain’s lack of penetration
Luis de la Fuente’s side dominated the ball to kick off Monday’s World Cup action. Spain had 74.2% possession. They mustered 27 shots and attempted 801 passes, that in itself a record at the World Cup so far.
Yet even as Spain dictated the game, they failed to make their dominance count. They essentially camped out in the opposition half for the duration of the Group H clash but were unable to break down a staunch Cape Verde defence.
As the above event map shows, the bulk of their key attacking moments came around the opposition box, be it in central areas or down the flanks. There was very little action inside the opposition box. As such, only 51 of their 986 touches (5.2%) came into side Cape Verde penalty area. They’ll need to improve their penetration if they are to win the World Cup for the second time.
Isolated Mikel Oyarzabal
Mikel Oyarzabal may have had more touches inside the opposition box (12) than any other player in Spain’s 0-0 draw with Cape Verde. However, it wasn’t until the 31st minute that the striker touched the ball for the first time in the Group H stalemate.
The Real Sociedad man cast an isolated figure on the Spain frontline. It translated to an anonymous performance from the forward. The most passes he received across the 90 minutes was four, those coming from Pedri.
As Spain continued to push, and push, and push for the opener, Oyarzabal was all-but anonymous as he looked to stamp his mark on the Spain frontline. With auxiliary striker Mikel Merino and Borja Iglesias offering a more physical presence, the 29-year-old needs to up the ante when called upon.
Inspired Vozinha
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luka Modric; the trio are among the elder statesmen at the World Cup. Vozinha, too, is one of the tournament’s oldest players. The Cape Verde shotstopper turned 40 shortly before the World Cup kicked off.
However, Vozinha put in an inspired performance to repel every Spain threat in Atlanta. The experienced goalkeeper made seven saves in the 0-0 draw with Spain. Only Patrick Beach (8 vs Turkey) has made more so far at the tournament.
While you should never rely on your goalkeeper to pull out a world class performance, Vozinha’s showing bodes well for the tournament debutants. And having claimed a result in their toughest group stage test, Cape Verde will take confidence into their upcoming meetings with Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
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